Berry-Blessed Rushan: Technology, Ecology, and Brand Power

WEIHAI, China, Feb. 24, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

Situated along the golden agricultural belt at 37°N, Rushan City is writing a modern agricultural success story through its premium strawberries and blueberries. Both products have earned China’s “National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark” and “National Famous, Special, and Premium New Agricultural Products” titles. Currently, the total cultivated area reaches 24,000 mu, with an annual output value exceeding 1.5 billion yuan, making the berry industry a key driver of regional economic growth and rural revitalization.

Technology underpins quality. Virus-free seedlings, green pest control, and vertical cultivation have lifted strawberry seedling survival rates to 99% and extended shelf life to seven days, opening doors to high-end markets. For blueberries, patented technologies, including double-layer multi-span arched greenhouses, microbial disease prevention, and digital management platforms, have enabled large-scale and intelligent cultivation.

Value is further amplified through full-chain integration. By establishing an industrial alliance, Rushan has promoted unified planting, technology, and standards, helping farmers integrate into modern production systems. The industry has also expanded the value chain: upstream, it has established large-scale, standardized production of seedlings and bio-substrates; downstream, it has commercialized high-value-added processed products, including NFC fruit juices and freeze-dried berries. Moreover, it is actively pursuing innovative cross-sector applications in biotech cosmeceuticals.

Brand-driven growth anchors the strategy. The city is committed to building the regional brand “Berry-Blessed Rushan, Beautiful Life” using diversified marketing activities to engage younger consumers and elevate its products from “local specialties” to “refined city trademarks.” The integration of leisure picking and cultural tourism attracts over 20,000 visitors annually, transforming “orchards into parks and agricultural products into gifts.”

Starting with a single berry, Rushan has formed a complete industrial chain encompassing R&D, production, processing, marketing, and cultural tourism. This not only showcases its achievements in agricultural modernization but also provides a replicable model for rural revitalization. Today, Rushan strawberries and blueberries are steadily making their way into broader markets, driven by premium quality and innovative branding.

Source: Information Office of Rushan Municipal People’s Government