China has launched the "China Huili Pomegranate Price Index," a blockchain-based system designed to improve transparency and traceability in one of the country's main fruit-producing regions. The index was introduced during the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival Liangshan Celebration and the 2025 "Specialty" Promotion Activity – Huili Pomegranate Special Event in Huili City, Sichuan Province.
The index was developed by the Information Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Huili City. It reflects China's wider use of blockchain and big data to structure agricultural markets.
Pomegranate production in Huili
Huili, located in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, has established a 26,700-hectare plantation base with an annual output of 780,000 tons, accounting for about one-quarter of China's total pomegranate production. The industry generates approximately US$590 million in farmer income and a total industrial value of more than US$860 million.
Officials note that technology is now integrated into orchard operations, shifting production and trade toward digital agriculture models.
Blockchain application
During the launch, Wang Xiaobing, Director of the Information Center at MARA, explained that the project is focused on creating digital trust in agriculture. Each fruit is assigned a digital identity under the "Blockchain + Pomegranate" system, allowing complete traceability from orchard to consumer. Data on production, grading, packaging, and distribution is stored in a blockchain ledger, designed to improve transparency and address counterfeit labeling.
Wang said the system turns Huili's pomegranate into the "fruit of wisdom," combining cultivation with digital monitoring tools.
Structure of the index
The China Huili Pomegranate Price Index consists of three real-time sub-indices. The Field Price Index tracks farmgate prices, the Origin Wholesale Price Index monitors wholesale trends at the production level, and the Sales Wholesale Price Index records prices in key sales hubs. Each sub-index is divided into special, first-class, and second-class fruit, providing detailed information on price dynamics.
For cooperatives, processing enterprises, and large growers, the index serves as a reference point for decision-making and market monitoring.
Expanding digital agriculture
The Information Center of MARA has introduced more than 20 other price indices for products such as pork, tea, citrus, grapes, and lilies. These systems are designed to stabilize markets and provide structured data for growers and traders.
Wang summarized the initiative by stating, "The blockchain-linked Huili Pomegranate Index strengthens brand value and helps farmers earn more from every fruit. It represents the future of agriculture, where tradition meets technology, and trust is verified digitally."
Source: Global Agriculture
