Forest products from 18 provinces of China break sales records in Changde

Spring surge: forest products from 18 provinces of China break sales records in Changde

    During the spring holidays, the International Agricultural Products Trade Center in Changde (Hunan Province) became the epicenter of the consumer boom in forest products. The daily sales volume reached 60 tons, which is four times higher than the usual figures. The high demand covered products from 18 provinces and regions of China, confirming the growing role of non-wood forest products in the country's economy.

Consumer boom: from spices to berries

    Changde Shopping Center, a key distribution hub for agricultural and forestry products in central China, recorded a sharp increase in sales ahead of and during the spring holidays. Regional delicacies were particularly popular with customers.:

• - Sichuan pepper is an indispensable seasoning in Sichuan cuisine, which is in steady demand throughout China.
• - Shanxi spices are traditional products from the province, known for its spicy herbs and seasonings.
• - Yunnan blueberries are berries from the southwestern province, famous for its favorable climate for growing fruits and berries.
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"Products like Sichuan pepper, Shanxi spices and Yunnan blueberries are selling very well. Recently, sales of forest products have been about 60 tons per day, which is about four times the usual volume" — Sun Kuili, Deputy General Director of the center

Strategic reserves: agreements for 100,000 tons

    On the eve of the spring shopping rush, the administration of the center carried out extensive preparatory work. Agreements were signed for the supply of 100,000 tons of goods with 18 major manufacturing regions, including Hunan, Hubei and Yunnan provinces. This made it possible to ensure uninterrupted supplies and meet the increased consumer demand.

Forest products: the third pillar of China's agricultural sector

    According to the National Forestry and Pasture Administration, forestry products rank third in China in terms of volume among all types of agricultural products, second only to grains and vegetables. The category includes a wide range of products:

• - Products of economically important forests: trees that produce edible oils (for example, tea oil), nuts (walnuts, forest) and fruits.
• - Woody drinks: tea, coffee and other beverages obtained from woody plants.
• - Seasonings: peppercorns, Sichuan pepper and other spices.
• - Undergrowth products: mushrooms, medicinal herbs, edible wild plants.
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Impressive figures: 11 trillion yuan and 240 million tons

    By the end of 2025, China's forestry and pasture sector has demonstrated impressive results.:

    These indicators confirm the strategic importance of the sector for food security and economic development of the country.

Deep processing: from raw materials to high-value products

The key trend in the development of the industry is the transition from the sale of raw materials to the creation of products of deep processing. Examples from different provinces illustrate this trend.:

• - Yunnan (Huaping County, the "birthplace of mango"): Local companies have established the production of mango juice, dried mango and mango vinegar. The products are supplied both to the domestic market and for export.
• - Jiangxi (mushroom plantations): The introduction of modern sprinkler irrigation systems has increased the yield of edible mushrooms by about 10%.
• - Hunan (Chenzhou City): The zhike medicinal herb plant has expanded its operations from selling raw materials to managing a complete production chain with 14 stages of processing. As a result, the added value of products has increased more than fivefold.
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Undergrowth Economy: a growth driver in the Northern provinces

    Woodlands serve as the basis for the development of the undergrowth economy — the collection and processing of mushrooms, berries, medicinal herbs and other resources. The most impressive results were achieved by Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China: in 2025, the value of the province's undergrowth economy exceeded 100 billion yuan (about 14.5 billion US dollars).

•     The growth was more than 6% compared to the previous year.
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Prospects and importance for the industry

    The development of the non-timber forest products sector in China is of strategic importance for several reasons:

1. - Diversification of forest management: Reduction of dependence on timber harvesting and development of sustainable forms of forestry.
2. - Food security: An additional source of food that does not require the expansion of agricultural land.
3. - Rural development: Creation of jobs and sources of income in forest regions.
4. - Export potential: Chinese forest products (mushrooms, nuts, spices) are in growing demand on international markets.
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    For market participants, the trend towards deep processing and product range expansion opens up new opportunities. Investments in processing technologies, logistics and marketing make it possible to multiply the added value and enter new sales markets.

Key market indicators:

Tags: #China #Changde #forest products #non-wood products #consumer boom #deep processing #undergrowth economy #Heilongjiang