"The honeyberry, or blue honeysuckle, is a kind of berry. There are only few areas where the honeysuckle can grow. In China, only Heilongjiang is suitable for growing honeyberries. They turn ripe in the beginning of June every year, and last until the beginning of July, so this year's season has already ended. I think that next year's market price will rise 10%-30%, because the people's familiarity with the fruit has increased," states Mr. Wang Feng, CEO of Heilongjiang Mai Xu Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.
Honeyberries
Honeyberry fields
"China has only been breeding honeyberries for a short time. In 2000, the Northeast Agricultural University introduced some breeds and resources from Russia and Japan, and took the lead by starting breeding research. Later, some agriculture and forestry researchers from Heilongjiang and Jilin also brought in some breeds from Russia. Beilei is one of the most widely used breeds."
Coin sized honeyberries
"Because of limitations in the production environment, the worldwide honeyberry production is very limited, and mostly focused in America, Canada, Russia and Japan. In China, the people all know blueberries, but the awareness of honeyberries is very low. However, together with the Small Berry Association, we have started with promotions this year. I believe that, within one year, the honeyberry awareness will have improved drastically in China and worldwide."
Honeyberry fields
Freshly harvested honeyberries
"We have 30 hectares of honeyberry fields in Hua'nan county in Kiamusze, Heilongjiang. By next year, this will have grown to 100 hectares. Under our brand 'Feng Yiran', our honeyberries are mostly sold in premium packaging to supermarkets and blueberry processing companies in first and second tier cities in China. As our production area is increasing, we will probably produce over 100 tons next year and the year after. In the next few years, while we are developing a brand that suits the Chinese people, we are also hoping to join hands with Canadian processers or sellers, so that we can start exporting our honeyberries to Canada."
Wang Feng - CEO
Heilongjiang Mai Xu Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.
Phone: +86 177 4510 8277