On December 5, 2025, the "2025 Xinhua Index Boao Annual Conference" was held in Boao, Hainan, under the theme "Beautiful China, Showcasing Our Nation." The event highlighted new pathways for industrial upgrading in the digital economy era, featuring the release of multiple authoritative index research findings. Jingning County stood out by sharing its successful strategies in apple industry transformation, reinforcing its reputation with the slogan: "After tasting apples worldwide, you’ll still crave Jingning apples."
**Natural Advantages and Industry Scale** Jingning apples owe their premium quality to the region’s unique natural conditions. Located at 35°N latitude—a globally recognized "golden belt" for apple cultivation—the county benefits from over 2,200 annual sunshine hours and a diurnal temperature difference exceeding 13°C. These factors contribute to the apples’ uniform size, vibrant color, crisp texture, balanced sweetness, and exceptional shelf life.
As China’s top apple-producing county, Jingning maintains over 1 million mu (≈66,667 hectares) of orchards, including 500,000 mu of green-certified produce, 10,000 mu under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and 184,000 mu for export. Certified cultivation areas total 694,000 mu. The county boasts 16 apple-focused townships, 160 specialized villages, and an average yield of 1.25 million tons annually.
**Strategic Development and Brand Building** Since the 1980s, Jingning has consistently prioritized apple cultivation as a core economic driver. Through four phases of development, the county transitioned from scattered plantings to a standardized, large-scale industry. Government initiatives established production belts along the Lidian and Hulu River basins and the Pingding Expressway corridor, while promoting green certifications and export-oriented farming.
Downstream, Jingning expanded its industrial chain with 161 storage, processing, and packaging enterprises, achieving an annual storage capacity of 650,000 tons and processing output of 150,000 tons. The county operates designated delivery warehouses for Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange, a cold-chain logistics park, and an e-commerce platform, with 29 direct stores in major cities like Beijing and Guangzhou. Exports reach 22 countries, making Jingning Gansu’s top apple-exporting county.
**Economic Impact and Future Goals** The apple industry now supports nearly 200,000 local residents, accounting for over 70% of farmers’ income. With a brand value of ¥18.086 billion, Jingning apples have become synonymous with rural revitalization. Deputy County Chief Zhao Liangliang highlighted achievements such as China’s first apple-focused academician workstation, proprietary cultivars like "Chengji No.1," and an 80% premium fruit rate.
Digital transformation is accelerating, with big data platforms, IoT monitoring, and smart farming raising mechanization to 42%. Future plans emphasize "three upgrades" (variety, quality, brand) and "three expansions" (green, large-scale, standardized production), integrating tourism and e-commerce into a modern industrial system.
**Market Leadership and Price Influence** Jingning apples dominate national pricing trends, particularly for premium-grade (80mm+) fruits. The *Xinhua·China (Jingning) Apple Price Index*, co-developed by China Economic Information Service and Jingning County, reflects this leadership. In the 2024–2025 season, the index rose steadily to 1,863.34 points, underscoring Jingning’s role as a national price benchmark.
By leveraging indices and digital tools, Jingning aims to further standardize the industry, enhance brand recognition, and foster integrated agricultural-tourism growth—proving that four decades of dedication can yield both exceptional fruit and enduring prosperity.
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