8th Guizhou Zunyi Intl Chili Expo kicks off

Experts, scholars and industry representatives gather at the 8th Guizhou Zunyi International Chili Expo. [Photo provided to eguizhou.gov.cn]

The 8th Guizhou Zunyi International Chili Expo opened in Zunyi, Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Aug 24. It will last until Aug 25.

Experts, scholars and representatives from the chili industry gathered recently to discuss cooperation and explore development opportunities.

This year's expo includes an opening ceremony, an exhibition, digital chili expo, chili product and equipment showcase and sales promotion, chili cuisine and cultural promotion, chili industry forums, a project introduction event, and field trips focusing on industry and tourism integration.

It aims to promote Guizhou's chili brand and boost the high-quality development of the chili industry through tourism, food, chili culture and company promotion.

Data shows that the chili planting area in Guizhou has reached 5.2 million mu (346,666 hectares), making it the only province in China with over 5 million mu dedicated to chili cultivation.

Annual chili production exceeds 7.7 million metric tons in the province, with a comprehensive output value of over 85 billion yuan ($11.7 billion), benefiting more than 1.4 million chili farmers.

Zunyi, one of the first places in China to focus on growing and selling chili, is also the main production area for chili peppers in Guizhou. The city maintains a chili planting area of over 2 million mu throughout the year, with a comprehensive output value exceeding 20 billion yuan.

In recent years, Zunyi has nurtured and supported the growth of more than 130 chili processing enterprises, with an annual processing capacity of over 400,000 tons of chili products. Additionally, Zunyi boasts the largest chili trading center in the country, with an annual trade volume of over 500,000 tons of dried chili, valued at nearly 10 billion yuan.