The winter harvest season has started in Hebei, where Chinese cabbage from Yutian is entering markets in Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hebei region. Buyers from other provinces are also sourcing from the area.
At the Huayu Cabbage Cooperative in Yutian, 5.3 hectares of cabbage have been planted with the variety Lyusun 70. According to cooperative head Cai Lianzhu, the crop has already been sold, and prices are more than double those of standard cabbage. Cai said that "all 5.3 hectares of our Chinese cabbage are planted with the variety Lyusun 70, whose tolerance to low light and (resistance to) disease has been excellent."
Lyusun 70 was developed by researcher Zhang Shujiang and a breeding team at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Zhang confirmed the variety performed well in Yutian during a season marked by persistent rainfall across Hebei. "It's a first-generation hybrid with upright plants and tightly wrapped leaves shaped like a shell. Besides its strong resistance, it stores well and has a sweet, crisp texture, which is good for both raw and cooked dishes," Zhang said. The variety was added to China's national catalog of recommended crop varieties earlier this year.
Yutian began cooperating with the institute in 2021, allowing multiple breeding teams to test new material, including cabbage, cauliflower, potato, and spinach. Hongsunbao No. 1, another Chinese cabbage line, has also yielded strong field results. Its performance has enabled growers to expand production beyond fall planting and supply the market earlier in the year.
Shi Dongyu, head of the Lanyu Cooperative, said his group increased plantings of Hongsunbao No. 1 to 2 hectares after stable buyer interest. "Its smaller head size and good flavor make it popular in southern markets. Buyers are offering more than 4 yuan per kilogram," he said. At current rates, 4 yuan equals about US$0.56 per kilogram.
Zhang added that consumer demand is shifting toward smaller heads and higher uniformity, and that "Hongsunbao No 1 fits this trend precisely."
Variety upgrades in Yutian have increased local yields and supported grower revenue, strengthening the supply base for regional vegetable chains. Yutian Vegetables was listed among the top 50 public brands in the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei region in 2025.
Source: ChinaDaily
