Fifth Shaanxi (Luochuan) International Apple Expo proclaimed open

By CnAgri2012-09-27 12:38:09 Print

Ministry of Agriculture
September 23rd, 2012 

The Fifth Shaanxi (Luochuan) International Apple Expo opened in Luochuan County, the well-known “Apple Town” on September, 22nd. It is a grand event co-organized by MOA and the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province. Zhang Yuxiang, Member of the CPC Leadership Group at MOA, Yao Yinliang, Member of Shaanxi Provincial Party Standing Committee and Secretary of Yan’an Municipal Party Committee, and Zhu Lieke, Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province jointly proclaimed the Expo open.

Zhang stated in her speech that China has gained a world-top position in apple production. The output and growing area rank No.1 and the export volume maintains among the highest globally. As the major apple producer, China now is forging ahead towards a competitive power in apple industry. Shaanxi province has successfully blazed a path of industrialization with regional characteristics, in the light of requirements for base construction, large-scale operation, quality improvement and market-oriented production. Apple industry has become a corner stone for Shaanxi province to develop modern agriculture, boost rural economy and increase farmers' income. The Expo opens a channel to attract public attention on Shaanxi apple industry, promote the brand recognition of quality products and explore the potentials for cooperation. It will play a vital role in fruit industry development for Shaanxi and even the entire Northwest Region.

At the opening ceremony, Vice Governor Zhu Lieke pointed out that Shaanxi's fruit growing area reached 16.82 million mu (1 hectare equals to 15 mu) and the output amounted to 13.33 million tons, ranking No.1 nationwide. In particular, the apple output achieved 9.03 million tons with a growing area of 9.35 million mu, accounting for one quarter of the nation total and one seventh of the world total. The fruit industry has become a model and symbol of modern agriculture development.

Enjoying popularity among domestic and oversea consumers, Luochuan apple has received over 170 awards at national, ministerial and provincial levels, and gained export certificates of eight countries including Canada and South Africa, etc. Its brand value is estimated as high as 3.036 billion Yuan.

Concurrently with the Expo, there were quite a number of side events carried out, including the International Apple Industry Development Forum (Luochuan Apple Wholesale Market Development Forum), Fruit Marketing Summit and Contract-signing Ceremony, as well as "Apple Ambassador" performances, etc. And the "Luochuan Apple Tourism Month" was also launched and would last till the end of November, 2012, as an important part of the larger event "Yan'an Red Tourism Season".