In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, tomato farming and processing have marked another year of high yields, aiding local economic growth and increasing farmers' incomes. In the Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bortala, amidst a landscape of snow-capped mountains and clear skies, harvest season begins in late July. Zhang Xiaodong, a local tomato farmer, reported that his 107-hectare field yielded over 127 tons per hectare this year, with net income per hectare rising significantly from the previous year. After leaving a position at a ketchup factory in 2019, Zhang ventured into tomato farming, adopting mechanized planting processes and employing strict management practices to meet export standards.
Xinjiang's climatic conditions are favorable for tomato cultivation, particularly processing tomatoes, which have been grown on a large scale since the 1990s. The region's tomatoes, known for their high lycopene and soluble solids content, are exported globally. The tomato processing industry in Xinjiang has evolved, with the introduction of new varieties extending the production period and enhancing the export competitiveness of Xinjiang ketchup.
Moreover, the domestic market for tomatoes is expanding, with an increasing number of consumers opting for healthy, low-fat diets. Local processing companies are diversifying their product range to include peeled whole tomatoes, tomato juice, and diced tomatoes, catering to the rising domestic demand. The domestic consumption of tomato products has seen an average annual growth rate of 8 percent, indicating a broader acceptance of these products in various culinary applications.
Source: English News