A delegation from Monistrol de Calders, Spain, visited Qingyuan county in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province, on May 25, to explore its thriving mushroom industry. The visit aimed to foster economic and cultural exchange between China and Spain.

The delegation's first stop was the Qingyuan Shiitake Mushroom Museum, where they learned about the history, cultivation, and cultural significance of Qingyuan shiitake mushrooms.

The group was particularly impressed by the Qingyuan's forest-mushroom co-culture system, recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2022.

The Spanish delegation learns about the Qingyuan's forest-mushroom co-culture system under the guidance. [Photo/Tide News]

The delegation also visited several local enterprises, including Zhejiang Dingzhou Biotechnology, Qingyuan Junbo Biotechnology, and Zhejiang Baixing Food.

They explored advanced facilities like smart greenhouses and digital drying platforms, discussing production processes and international sales with company leaders. The versatility of mushrooms in products ranging from instant foods to health supplements garnered significant interest.

Arturo Algragel from Spain expressed admiration for Qingyuan mushroom's complete industrial value chain, from primary production to international export, noting its potential as a model for cross-regional agricultural trade collaboration.

Zhou Jianhong, president of the Qingtian Association in Barcelona, Spain, emphasized the potential for future collaboration in mushroom technology, trade, and cultural exchange, highlighting the presence of approximately 140,000 Lishui natives in Spain as a bridge for ongoing partnerships.