The goji berry industry in Zhongning county, Ningxia, is booming due to technological advancements and market expansion.
A prime example is Zaokang Goji Co, where a state-of-the-art production line transforms plump goji berries into high-value puree through efficient juicing and rigorous heat sterilization processes.
Last year, Zaokang Goji invested 2.53 million yuan ($348,105) to introduce smart equipment and upgrade juicing and bottling lines. "We now produce 15,000 bags and 10,000 bottles of goji berry puree daily," said Yang Jiangli, the company's sales manager.
Zhongning hosts 124 goji berry processing enterprises like Zaokang Goji. To ensure the industry's sustained success, the county uses technology to fuel its growth. It nurtures and attracts deep-processing enterprises, encourages innovation, develops new products, explores new markets, and extends the goji berry industry and value chains.
Ningxia Tianren Goji Biotechnology Co is the only enterprise in Zhongning dedicated to the scientific research and application of goji berry glycopeptides. Through continuous technological innovation and market expansion, the company processes 400 metric tons of dried goji berries annually to produce 2 tons of glycopeptide raw materials, yielding over 80 million glycopeptide tablets with an output value exceeding 200 million yuan.
In recent years, Zhongning has collaborated with universities, research institutes, and industry leaders to establish the Zhongning Goji Industry Innovation Research Institute. This initiative has attracted over 10 high-level talent teams and signed agreements with 19 laboratories. Supported by the institute, 55 high-tech SMEs and six national high-tech enterprises have thrived.
The county has also developed the Goji Industry Agricultural Science and Technology Park, featuring 17 standardized demonstration gardens exceeding 1,000 mu (66.67 hectares) and three breeding bases. It has developed over 120 types of goji berry products and holds more than 120 patents with a processing conversion rate of 37 percent.
By the end of 2024, Zhongning's goji berry industry had achieved a comprehensive output value of 14 billion yuan and a regional brand value exceeding 20 billion yuan.