Shandong's agricultural exports show strong resilience

Workers in a processing plant operated by Shandong Jianong International Trading Co Ltd – a leading exporter of agricultural products based in Juye county in East China's Shandong province – are currently busy producing garlic products ordered by European and American countries.

A local shows fresh garlic at a farm in Juye county. Garlic is the mainstay of agricultural exports in the county. [Photo by Xiao Shouxiang for chinadaily.com.cn]

The company has exported more than 4.15 million tons of agricultural products over the past decade, achieving an export value of $3.955 billion, said general manager Yao Huikuan.

According to Yao, the products have been exported to more than 100 countries and regions in Europe, South America, Africa, Oceania, as well to the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

The company's fresh garlic exports have ranked first in the country for 16 consecutive years, he said. From January to September this year, its imports and exports were worth 1.76 billion yuan ($242 million).

Farm produce holds a leading position in Juye's exports trade – accounting for about 60 percent the county's total import and export volume.

At present, the county has established 400,000 mu (266.67 square kilometers) of garlic and scallion planting facilities. The 350,000 mu garlic base can harvest 500,000 metric tons every year.

The county has also encouraged local enterprises to attend exhibitions and trade fairs at home and abroad, so as to stabilize foreign trade and explore more business opportunities in the global market.

Data showed that 89 import and export enterprises in the county reported foreign trade worth a combined 3.92 billion yuan in the first nine months of this year. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)