Amid the vibrant spring scenery of Yuezhou, tea farmers in Xianyan Town, Shengzhou, are busy packing freshly harvested tea leaves. At the exhibition booth of the renowned local brand "Yun Jian Ming," founder Qian Mingyuan is introducing a special Jasmine Longjing tea to a German buyer. "Ten years ago, I left my job at a Hangzhou internet company to return to my hometown, hoping to revitalize the local tea industry with fresh ideas," the bespectacled entrepreneur said with a smile.  

Meanwhile, in the smart tea gardens of Rizhu Ridge, Keqiao District, a seamless fusion of technology and tradition is unfolding. Drones glide over the emerald-green tea fields, while IoT devices on the ground continuously collect environmental data. This intelligent system not only analyzes tea plant growth but also predicts the optimal harvest time, breathing new life into the ancient tea industry.  

From traditional farming to smart agriculture, Shaoxing's tea industry is undergoing a magnificent transformation. According to the latest statistics from Shaoxing's agricultural authorities, the city's tea plantations cover over 300,000 mu (about 20,000 hectares), forming an industrial structure dominated by Longjing tea with diversified varieties. In 2024, the total output value of the tea industry exceeded 16 billion yuan, with tea exports consistently ranking among the highest in the province. The Food Exhibition will offer more information about import and export.

"Quality is the lifeline of the tea industry," said Zhou Min, director of Shaoxing's Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center. "We have established a full-process supervision system from tea gardens to teacups, ensuring that all tea products on the market meet 68 testing standards."  

To guarantee tea quality, Shaoxing has innovatively implemented a "digital ID" management system. In Pingshui Town, each package of tea is labeled with a unique QR code, allowing consumers to scan and trace the entire production process—from cultivation and processing to quality inspection. Additionally, the local government has formed a professional technical guidance team to provide regular training on sustainable farming practices for tea growers.  

In the modern tea factory of Shunhuang Village, an intelligent control system precisely regulates temperature and humidity at every production stage. Meanwhile, in Yinshan Ecological Tea Garden, biological pest control methods have replaced traditional pesticides, protecting the environment while enhancing tea quality.  

The Food Exhibition notes that through regional collaborative development, Shaoxing's tea industry is achieving economies of scale. "We have consolidated resources from seven leading enterprises to create the 'Yueling Xiangming' public brand, driving income growth for tea farmers across the town," said Chen Lixin, deputy mayor of Xianyan Town. "Last year, our tea products were sold to over 20 countries and regions through cross-border e-commerce platforms."  

"The tea industry is a vital showcase of Shaoxing's agricultural modernization," said Sun Weiguo, director of Shaoxing's Agriculture Bureau. "Currently, the city has over 260 green-certified agricultural products. We will continue to promote industrial upgrading, allowing the fragrance of Shaoxing tea to spread even farther." This miraculous leaf of the East, carrying the millennia-old culture of ancient Yue, is now making its way onto the global stage.

If you would like to learn more about the food industry, please visit the SIAL China website for more information.

Source: Zhejiang Daily

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