Cixi’s Tech-Enabled Bayberries Hit Market Six Weeks Early

Ningbo, Zhejiang – The first batch of greenhouse-grown bayberries has officially hit the market in Cixi, Ningbo, marking the earliest local harvest on record and bringing the seasonal delicacy to consumers as early as April.

Xinhua News Agency reports that the early ripening is enabled by a fully automated dual-film light-water-fertilizer temperature-increasing technology, introduced in Cixi in October 2025. The system integrates red-and-blue light supplementation, intelligent temperature control, and water-fertilizer integration, precisely simulating natural growth conditions and accelerating ripening by approximately six weeks compared to open-field bayberries.

“This technology allows us to regulate the growing environment with high precision,” said Qi Difeng, head of Qiyuan Bayberry Professional Cooperative in Kuangyan Town, Cixi. “We can adjust light, temperature, and nutrients in real time, which not only advances maturity but also extends the overall marketing window.”

In recent years, Cixi’s bayberry farmers have increasingly adopted smart agriculture solutions, including climate-controlled greenhouses, cold storage facilities, and cold-chain logistics systems. These efforts have significantly extended the supply period and boosted product value, with greenhouse bayberries commanding premium prices and strong market demand.

Cixi, renowned as “China’s Hometown of Bayberries,” has a planting history spanning over 2,000 years. The local “Biqi” variety is celebrated for its large size, small pits, and rich flavor. The industry has become a key driver of rural revitalization, with an annual output of 66,000 tons and an output value exceeding 1 billion yuan in 2024.

With the support of modern agricultural technology, Cixi’s bayberry industry is transforming from a seasonal specialty into a year-round high-value product, enhancing competitiveness and opening new avenues for farmers’ income growth.