The grapefruit industry in Changshan, a county in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has helped bring in more than 300 million yuan ($42.64 million) for local villagers, local media reported on April 10.

The county grows grapefruit over an area of 100,000 mu (6,670 hectares), producing 140,000 tons per year. It has been growing the fruit for more than 600 years in its Chengtan village, which to this day is known in Changshan as the origin of the county's grapefruit-growing tradition.

The grapefruit industry in the county is worth 1.2 billion yuan and involves primary processing, further processing, and medical applications. Changshan is currently home to 64 grapefruit-related companies, according to Zhang Zhihui, director of the Changshan Grapefruit Industry Development Center.

The Changshan Industrial Park, for example, is home to a number of grapefruit further processing companies.

These companies produce a wide variety of grapefruit products, including scented tea, jam, liquor, enzym, and beauty masks.

Zhejiang Youdu Biotechnology Co Ltd is one such company. Its self-developed flavonoid tablets are capable of resisting oxidation, reducing blood fat, and stabilizing blood sugar. They can also be used to produce beverages.

Zhejiang Changshan Hengshoutang Grapefruit Co Ltd focuses on deep processing. It has developed an especially fragrant soft drink by mixing local grapefruit with Japanese grapefruit.

Song Wei, president of the company, said that it plans to develop more than 20 varieties of grapefruit-related products this year, including beer, soda, and cosmetics, and seeks expand the market through the use of improved technology and new products.

Zhang noted that Changshan is now is looking to improve the fruit's quality by implanting microelements.

Changshan county in Quzhou cultivates grapefruit over an area of 100,000 mu (6,670 hectares), with an annual output of 140,000 tons. [Photo/qz96811]