^{Local villagers are harvesting ripe apples.}


QINGYANG, China, Oct. 21, 2026 / Xinhua-AsiaNet / --

In the golden autumn of October, the air is filled with the fragrance of apples hanging heavy on the branches. On October 18 ^th  , the 2026 China Apple Annual Conference and Qingyang Apple Expo officially opened at the Qingyang Folk Culture Park. The theme of this year's conference is "Digital Empowerment, Smart Computing for Apple Prosperity - Promoting High-Quality Development of the Apple Industry."

Located within the golden apple-growing belt of 35° to 37° north latitude, Qingyang is widely recognized as China's optimal region for high-quality apple cultivation. Local apples are renowned for their excellent flavor and nutrient content that exceeds national standards; they have been awarded the title of "Famous Fruit of China," with a brand value of 8.056 billion yuan. The city's apple cultivation area spans 1.33 million mu, with the full industry chain generating an output value exceeding 12.5 billion yuan. The apples are popular domestically and exported to 13 countries, driving employment and income growth for more than 300,000 people.

The conference brought together relevant officials from central government ministries and local authorities, industry experts, more than 280 fruit enterprises and traders from 26 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country, as well as representatives of international students, media outlets, and social media influencers. The event featured a diverse range of activities, including an apple exhibition and sales market, specialized production-and-sales matchmaking sessions, smart orchard tours, live-streamed agricultural support initiatives, and a cultural carnival.

Industry experts at the conference recommended continuing to empower the fruit industry's development through high-quality varieties, technology, branding, and digital and intelligent solutions. Local officials stated that they will continue to strengthen the regional public brand, enhance industrial efficiency, and promote Qingyang apples to further penetrate the domestic market and expand into international markets.

SOURCE: Qingyang Converged Media Center

--BERNAMA