Baoshan apples from Qingdao perfume air in Chengdu

A promotional conference for Baoshan apples, a specialty agricultural product in Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA), was held recently in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

The conference showcased the distinctive advantages of Baoshan apples and gave attendees the chance to taste the apples, apple juice and apple wine. The Baoshan Apple Chengdu Distribution Station was also officially unveiled during the conference. 

Baoshan town in Qingdao WCNA has an apple planting history of 66 years and an annual output of 25,000 metric tons worth nearly 300 million yuan ($41.14 million). The Baoshan apple industry is now one of the town's most important.

"Mingyue apple is an early-maturing variety that was developed by crossbreeding Japanese apple varieties. When this apple was first introduced to Baoshan in 2003, I became one of the first planters," said Guo Jiang, a fruit farmer from Shangchai village of Baoshan town.

Staff at the Muguo Ecological Park in Qingdao WCNA pick ripe apples from the trees. [Photo/Xihaian News]

In 2017, Baoshan apples received the National Agricultural Product Geographical Indication Certification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The following year, it was granted the National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark by the National Intellectual Property Administration. In 2020, Baoshan Mingyue apples won the gold award at the 21st China Green Food Exposition.

Baoshan town has in recent years organized apple-themed activities, conducted brand promotion activities in cities like Jinan and Shanghai, and collaborated with companies including Freshippo and Pagoda.