In recent years, Liangping pomelo, one of three major pomelo varieties in China, has blossomed into a local cornerstone industry in Chongqing with a well-developed industrial chain. This evolution has ignited rural vitalization and advanced the development of high-quality ecological agriculture throughout the region.

On Nov 10, the 7th Yangtze River Three Gorges (Liangping) International Pomelo Expo kicked off in Liangping district, Chongqing, which will run till the end of the year.

To foster the high-quality growth of the Liangping pomelo industry, three categories of prizes were presented at the event. These awards — best quality, best image and best creativity — were bestowed on nine fresh, top-tier pomelos and innovative pomelo products crafted by local growers, rural cooperatives and processing enterprises.

"When our company first ventured into the deep processing of Liangping pomelos in 2013, the market for such products was relatively untapped nationwide, presenting a blue ocean opportunity," said He Yunfen from Chongqing Qishuang Industry, which won the best creativity award.

He said the company invested over 6 million yuan ($830,000) in research, and has developed over 10 products including pomelo sugar, juice and essential oil. In the first three quarters of this year, sales increased 70 percent year-on-year, achieving production value of 130 million yuan.

Liangping has been cultivating pomelos for over two centuries. Benefiting from its exceptional natural environment, Liangping pomelo exhibit distinctive characteristics, including a flat-round shape — a distinguished flat-topped pomelo variety — thin and smooth skin, a golden hue and a taste characterized by tender, seedless flesh.

The Liangping pomelo stands as one of the country's three renowned pomelo types, alongside the Shatian pomelo from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and the Wendan pomelo from Fujian province. In 2004, Liangping was honored as a "Hometown of Famous Chinese Pomelos".

"The annual production value of the entire pomelo industry chain has reached 5 billion yuan," Liu Wenyang, deputy head of Liangping, said at the opening ceremony of the event.

Currently, the district features a pomelo planting area spanning 10,000 hectares across more than 100 standardized orchards, hosting over eight million pomelo trees that yield 200,000 metric tons of fruit annually. Additionally, the area is home to over 70 social service organizations and more than 20 processing enterprises linked to the fruit.

The fruit has drawn much attention from abroad recently, with envoys from nine countries — including Argentina, Cambodia and Germany — attending the 2024 Land-Sea Economic Forum, which was held in the municipality in May.

During their visit to the Chinese Liangping Pomelo Sea, they showed a keen interest in the fruit, expressing a desire to explore international cooperation opportunities in the industry.

The fruit has been exported to countries and regions including Russia, Vietnam, Singapore and South Korea.

The pomelo industry has also brought fortune to local villagers.

Longtan village in Hexing township, a major area with over 40 years of dedication to the industry, has successfully transformed pomelo cultivation into a major enterprise.

The village, in collaboration with six collectives, has established Chongqing Youzhiyun Agricultural Development Co, engaging in the marketing of fresh pomelo fruit and its processing.

According to village chief He Yaochun, it has established a sophisticated production line for over 200 varieties of products — with pomelo beverages, wine and peel candies as top sellers.

These creations have also enhanced livelihoods in the village by spearheading rural vitalization.

Local pomelo farmers have increased their incomes by 7,500 yuan per hectare, and their average annual income has risen by 19,000 yuan per person. Additionally, the village's collective income has surged from 56,000 yuan in 2018 to 1.62 million yuan last year.

To improve pomelo quality and yield, they have deepened collaboration with research institutions. Last year, a strategic agreement was signed between the local government and the Citrus Research Institute of Southwest University to jointly establish the China Liangping Pomelo Industry Research Institute.