From the Fields to the International Table: Chinese Greenhouses and Fresh Produce Accelerate Their Global Expansion

From the Fields to the International Table: Chinese Greenhouses and Fresh Produce Accelerate Their Global Expansion
December 23, 2025 – As winter arrives, modern agricultural industrial parks across China are bustling with activity. From colorful bell peppers in Xinjiang to intelligent greenhouse technology in Shandong, from fresh-cut flowers in Yunnan to garlic in Guizhou, China's greenhouse industry is undergoing a profound global transformation. This is not only a transnational journey for agricultural products but also a process of Chinese modern agricultural technology and standards going global.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Go Global: Central and Southeast Asia Become Major Markets
Recently, in Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, two trucks loaded with purple "Lao Wang Long Eggplant" set off, honking their horns, and headed to Kazakhstan via the Horgos port. These off-season vegetables, grown in greenhouses in the Gobi Desert, are in high demand in the Central Asian market due to their color and taste.
This is just a microcosm of Xinjiang's agricultural product exports.
● In Jinghe County, the screw peppers, cucumbers, and bell peppers grown in local smart greenhouses have attracted the attention of Russian and Kazakhstani buyers. Through the establishment of order-based planting models and strict constant-temperature packaging standards, these vegetables are being shipped to Russia at a rate of one truck every three days.
● In Turpan, through the transformation of multi-span greenhouse technology, seedless white grapes have achieved winter growth, and 40 tons of sweet fruit were recently successfully sold to Vietnam, starting a "sweetening" journey in the Southeast Asian market.
Gansu Zhuanglang and Xinjiang Bachu: Specialty Bell Peppers Light Up the "Belt and Road" Initiative
In Huoli Village, Wanquan Town, Zhuanglang County, Gansu Province, the bell peppers in the greenhouses are a vibrant mix of red and green. This is not only the first export of Zhuanglang vegetables but also a leap in quality. Relying on order-based cooperation with Syngenta Group, Zhuanglang bell peppers are strictly planted according to export standards, with vitamin content and sweetness meeting the requirements, and the export price is twice as high as the domestic market price.
Xinjiang Bachu County is also targeting the international market. The local area has introduced advanced agricultural companies and built 80 greenhouses specifically for planting high-quality bell pepper varieties such as "Da Mandi" and "Huang Taiji". These bell peppers are expected to be available in February 2026, primarily targeting the Russian market, with an estimated export price of 10 yuan per kilogram (FOB), simultaneously boosting employment and income for local farmers.
"Chinese Technology" Goes Global: Greenhouses and Management Models Spread Worldwide
If exporting vegetables is "selling products," then what Shandong enterprises are doing is "selling technology" and "selling solutions."
As a renowned "vegetable capital," the Shouguang model from Shandong is taking root globally. A company called Lisente has built intelligent greenhouses in 40 countries worldwide, creating 270 modern planting parks.
● Localized Technology: From wind-resistant greenhouses in Uzbekistan to water-cooled system greenhouses in Saudi Arabia, Chinese companies are conducting in-depth localized innovations based on the climate conditions of different countries (such as sandstorms, cold waves, and humid heat).
● Doubled Yields: In Bukhara, Uzbekistan, local farmers have achieved six times the yield of traditional farming after adopting Chinese technology.
Yunnan and Guizhou: New Export Paths for Flowers and Garlic
Besides vegetables, other agricultural products are also showcasing their strengths in the export market.
● Lijiang Flowers: In Lijiang, Yunnan, roses and calla lilies cultivated in modern intelligent greenhouses are flying to Singapore, Japan, and Russia through expedited customs clearance procedures. From January to October this year, Lijiang's cut flower exports increased significantly, becoming a "golden calling card" for the plateau region.
● Guizhou Garlic: In Guizhou, garlic is being exported through a new "consolidated shipping" model, transported in temperature-controlled containers via Shenzhen Port to Dubai. This method of consolidating shipments reduces transportation costs for small and medium-sized enterprises, making Guizhou garlic an indispensable ingredient in Middle Eastern curries.
Conclusion
From "relying on the weather" to "technology empowerment," from "self-production and self-sale" to "global distribution," the export map of Chinese greenhouses is constantly expanding. This not only allows overseas consumers to taste the "fresh flavors" from China but also exports the wisdom and standards of modern Chinese agriculture to the world. With the improvement of cold chain technology and customs clearance efficiency, Chinese agriculture will play an even more important role in the global market in the future.