Southwest China’s Guizhou Province is enhancing its agricultural cooperation with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) through a series of promotional activities, underscoring its commitment to expanding international markets. In August, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre hosted a significant showcase, featuring a range of agricultural products from Guizhou, marking the eighth consecutive year of the province’s participation in the Hong Kong Food Trade Expo and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair.
The promotional event was spearheaded by Guizhou’s provincial department of agriculture and rural affairs, alongside its department of commerce. The gathering aimed to broaden the reach of Guizhou’s agricultural sector, leveraging Hong Kong SAR’s global market access. The expo featured 32 agricultural enterprises from Guizhou, all keen to promote their products and strengthen their brands on an international stage.
Guizhou, renowned for its pristine ecological environment, has developed a range of nutritious and environmentally friendly agricultural products. These include matcha, coix seed, and gastrodia elata, all of which have gained recognition for their quality and health benefits. The province has also established eight key agricultural clusters, specialising in chili peppers, edible fungi, beef, Chinese medicinal herbs, green tea, and broiler chicken.
The scale of Guizhou’s agricultural production is notable. The province maintains extensive cultivation areas for various crops: 7 million mu (approximately 466,667 hectares) for tea leaves, 5 million mu for chili peppers, and 2.1 million mu for Roxburgh roses. These figures position Guizhou at the forefront of national agricultural production in these sectors.
In 2023, Guizhou’s Jiangkou County achieved remarkable success in matcha production, surpassing 1,000 tonnes in sales and reaching a total output value of 200 million yuan (about $28.2 million USD). This milestone reflects the province’s robust agricultural capabilities and its increasing influence in the global market.
The collaboration with Hong Kong SAR aims to build on Guizhou’s existing strengths and expand its international market presence. By participating in major international trade fairs and leveraging Hong Kong’s strategic position as a global trade hub, Guizhou seeks to introduce its high-quality agricultural products to a broader audience and foster stronger economic ties with international partners.
The event also highlights Guizhou’s dedication to sustainability and quality in its agricultural practices. By showcasing its diverse range of products and innovative farming techniques, Guizhou is poised to enhance its reputation in the global agricultural market, while also contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development and international trade.
As Guizhou continues to build on its successes and explore new opportunities for collaboration, its ongoing partnership with Hong Kong SAR is expected to play a pivotal role in driving future growth and strengthening its position as a leading player in the global agricultural sector.
