Flaxseed is a symbol of cooperation between Ningxia and Kazakhstan. [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]
As the doors of the factory open, the rich aroma of flaxseeds fills the air. At Ningxia Junhai Oil Co, flaxseeds imported from Kazakhstan are transformed into flaxseed oil, destined for distribution across China.
Ningxia is a key hub for the production and processing of flaxseed oil in China. In 2020, Wuzhong was honored as the "Hometown of Flaxseed Oil" by the Chinese Cereals and Oils Association.
Flaxseed's origins trace back to Central Asia, where countries like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with their rich agricultural resources and traditional farming practices, are leading producers. A single reddish-brown flaxseed symbolizes the practical cooperation between Ningxia and Kazakhstan, highlighting Ningxia's deeper integration into the Belt and Road Initiative.
On Dec 31, 2020, a container train carrying 1,313 metric tons of Kazakh flaxseed arrived at Wuzhong's Qingtongxia Railway Station for the first time, marking the official opening of a grain and oil trade channel between Ningxia and Belt and Road countries.
In 2021, Ningxia Liupan Zhenfang Ecological Agriculture Technology Co registered a company in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital, to establish a flaxseed cultivation base in Kostanay, focusing on cultivating new flaxseed varieties.
Annually, Ningxia processes over 200,000 tons of flaxseed, necessitating the import of more than 150,000 tons of raw flaxseed from countries like Kazakhstan. In 2022, the city imported 55.62 million yuan ($7.81 million) in flaxseeds from Kazakhstan. As of 2023, imports of flaxseed, barley, and sunflower seeds from Kazakhstan had reached 113.09 million yuan.
With a stable supply of raw materials from Kazakhstan, Ningxia has diversified its flaxseed products to include flaxseed oil, nutritional supplements, seasonings, and natural nutrients. This diversification has transformed flaxseed into a unique and flourishing industry within the region.