Blueberry growers find markets across globe

KUNMING — While blueberry bushes in most parts of China are just beginning to bloom, early-ripening varieties in southwestern Yunnan province are already being harvested.

Farmers are currently working to pick and pack the fresh berries, which swiftly make their way to markets across China and beyond. Native to North America, blueberries have found a second home in China. Last year, the country's blueberry cultivation area surpassed 73,000 hectares, yielding around 500,000 metric tons of berries, making China one of the fastest-growing blueberry producers in the world. Yunnan, with its ideal climate and extended growing season, has emerged as a leading production hub, contributing about 30 percent of the national output.

Thanks to its unique geographical conditions, abundant sunlight and significant temperature variations between day and night, Yunnan offers an optimal environment for blueberry cultivation.