Meihekou, Jilin, 9 Sep (ZXS) -- Jilin pine nuts are sold overseas
China News Agency reporter Guo Jia
"Where there are pine nuts in the world, there are indispensable figures of people from Meihekou." E, 54, chairman of Meihekou Jonathan Food Co., Ltd., said in a recent interview with reporters.
Meihekou is located in the southeast of Jilin Province, west of Changbai Mountain, not connected to the river and the sea, but through deep cultivation of pine nut processing trade, it has gradually become the world's largest pine nut processing and distribution center, accounting for more than 60% of the global pine nut market.
On September 9, workers at the pine nut processing enterprise in Meihekou dried pine nuts. Photo by Zhang Yao, reporter of China News Agency
From the end of August to April of the following year, it is the "pine nut season" at the mouth of the Meihe, and Eshouhai and his colleagues continuously transport back pine nut raw materials from Russia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and all over China, and sell them to more than 8 countries and regions in Europe, America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other places through China-Europe trains.
Many years ago, the people of Meihekou accidentally learned about the demand for pine nut products in the international market, so they tried to buy pine nuts in Changbai Mountain, shell them, dry them and export them. At that time, there were no factories, and the orders were all smashed with small hammers one by one.
Eshou Hai still remembers the scene of a family of seven smashing pine nuts. The ground and pits are covered with pine nuts, and the house is mellow, but everyone is reluctant to eat them. He was the youngest and always fell asleep with a bang.
As the demand for raw materials expanded, the people of Meihekou began to harvest all over the world. In the 20s of the 90th century, Eshou Hai started a pine nut processing and export business, and went to the UK and Russia to develop markets. "The company name is all British, and it is said that this is the most common name in the UK." At present, his products are sold in more than 20 countries and regions, with an annual output value of about 2 million yuan (RMB, the same below).
On September 9, workers of the pine nut processing enterprise in Meihekou filled the color sorter with pine nuts. Photo by Zhang Yao, reporter of China News Agency
Today, the mouth of the Meihe River has long ceased to have the thumping sound of small iron hammers, replaced by the rumble of machines. In the pine nut processing plant of Jilin Hongyue Food Co., Ltd., dozens of machines operate at the same time, and the whole process of hulling, decontamination, drying and color sorting is automated.
Hong Tao, director of the pine nut processing plant, said that in the past, pine nuts had a "five-year harvest and a three-year small harvest", but now the technology is more advanced, and the output is steadily increasing year by year, so every autumn the factory is full of power and busy.
Gao Guangwei, secretary general of Meihekou Pine Seed Association, introduced that at present, the annual pine nut processing capacity of Meihekou can reach up to 15,70 tons, with an annual output value of nearly <> billion yuan. In order to expand and strengthen the industry, some enterprises have also set up factories in Russia, Mongolia and other countries to carry out primary processing of raw materials.
Gao Guangwei believes that at present, the development opportunities and challenges of the pine nut industry in Meihekou coexist. The demand for pine nuts in countries around the world is still growing, but the deep processing technology of pine nuts and the brand building of pine nut products lags behind.
However, Gao Guangwei is pleased that the second generation of entrepreneurs in Meihekou is gradually relaying their parents' generation and beginning to consciously change the status quo. For example, E's daughter has made her business flourish in Shanghai.
"I believe it will get better and better in the future." Eshou Hai said. (End)