Chongqing - Renowned as the "King of Berries," blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, and various minerals. With potent antioxidant properties, they are believed to support brain health, protect vision, strengthen the heart, and bolster the immune system.

In September, Chongqing Ruihang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., located in the Nanchuan District of Chongqing, launched its anthocyanin freeze-dried powder production line, marking Chongqing’s first foray into large-scale blueberry anthocyanin extraction.

Fresh blueberries. (Photo/Gan Haowen)

"While the production capacity is currently modest—around 3 kilograms per batch—the value of these extracts is significant," said Deng Dingyang, Head of Production at Ruihang Biotechnology, on December 6. To date, the company has extracted over 20 kilograms of anthocyanins during its pilot phase, projected to generate nearly 5 million yuan (USD 689,626) in revenue by year-end.

The fully operational production line is expected to achieve an annual output value exceeding 50 million yuan by 2025.

Challenges in Chongqing’s blueberry market

Blueberry cultivation in Chongqing began in 2000, and by 2023, the city had planted approximately 20,000 mu (about 1,333 hectares). Despite the initial high market price—often exceeding 100 yuan per 500 grams—domestic production expansion and an influx of imported blueberries have led to a sharp decline in prices, with some varieties now selling for as little as 10,000 yuan per ton.

Compared to leading production areas like Chengjiang and Honghe in Yunnan, Xichang in Sichuan, and Weihai and Rushan in Shandong, Chongqing faces unique challenges, explained Song Guidong, Head of Marketing at Ruihang Biotechnology. "Our rainy season often overlaps with the blueberry harvest, leading to a higher proportion of rain-damaged fruit, which hampers competitiveness in the fresh fruit market. To thrive, Chongqing’s industry must pivot toward specialty varieties and advanced processing."

Villagers harvest blueberries at the standardized blueberry plantation in Daguan Town, Nanchuan District, Chongqing. (Photo/Gan Haowen)

Since 2022, Nanchuan District has invested 120 million yuan to upgrade its blueberry industry. It has introduced premium varieties like "Eureka" and built six advanced production lines alongside the largest intelligent cold storage facility in Southwest China, capable of holding 10,000 tons.

Ruihang Biotechnology now produces an array of processed products, including NFC (not from concentrate) blueberry juice, blueberry wine, blueberry jam, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) blueberry concentrate, and lutein-enriched blueberry concentrate. These products have seen robust demand, with an estimated processing capacity of 13,000 tons per year, supported by at least 20,000 mu (about 1,333 hectares) of blueberry cultivation.

"Over 20 bases nationwide have joined Nanchuan’s blueberry industry alliance, contributing to an expected processing output value of 25 million yuan this year," said Deng.

Advanced extraction techniques

Blueberry anthocyanin extraction represents the pinnacle of the industry’s deep processing capabilities. Anthocyanins are among the most potent natural antioxidants, with anti-aging and cell-protective properties that surpass vitamin E by 50 times and vitamin C by 200 times, explained Zhang Shengyu, Director of the Pilot Laboratory at the Special Bio-Pharmaceutical Engineering Center at Harbin Institute of Technology.

The staff operates the equipment to extract anthocyanins. (Photo/Chongqing Ruihang Biotechnology)

However, extracting these compounds is a complex and resource-intensive process. "Blueberry anthocyanin content is only a fraction of a thousandth, and separating it from other components in the fruit involves intricate purification steps," Zhang noted. After three years of research, Harbin Institute of Technology and Ruihang Biotechnology jointly developed a dual-channel extraction system, enabling efficient production of freeze-dried anthocyanin powder.

The process, spanning soaking, purification, and drying, takes up to a week to complete. "From every ton of blueberries, we extract 1 kilogram of anthocyanins, which commands a market price exceeding 200,000 yuan per kilogram," said Song.

By 2026, Ruihang Biotechnology anticipates purchasing raw materials worth 150 million yuan and achieving a deep-processing output value of 500 million yuan. "Our goal is to transform Chongqing’s blueberry industry into a benchmark for high-value agricultural innovation," Song concluded.