Shandong's county gets big boost from blueberries

Linshu county – located in Linyi city in East China's Shandong province – is celebrating over a decade of achievement by its local blueberry industry, having positioned itself as a leader in the "King of Berries" domain in the region.

Recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2017 as one of the top five health foods, blueberries have become a cornerstone of Linshu's economic growth.

Daxing town in the county – a pivotal player in this success – boasts a sprawling blueberry cultivation area exceeding 20,000 mu (1,333 hectares).

So far, Daxing has established seven production bases, as well as over 30 production cooperatives and family farms, resulting in the certification of 11 trademarks under strict national-level standards. That includes the widely acclaimed Linyi Blueberry variety of the fruit.

Farmhands pick ripe, succulent blueberries. [Photo by Zhou Weijing for chinadaily.com.cn]

To enhance its product range, the town has expanded into producing a variety of offerings – including juice, wine and other blueberry-related products.

One standout is Lanze Blueberry Wine, which uses over 3,000 metric tons of blueberries annually, contributing significantly to the industry's value chain.

What's more, the Blueberry Tourism and Culture Festival, held now for seven consecutive years, has become a local tradition.

Offering a special experience that combines both picking and tasting, the festival is said to not only celebrate the harvest season but also boost local cultural and tourism development. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)