2024 Xinjiang Bazhou Ruoqiangqiemo Red Date Festival opens

On October 26, the 2024 Xinjiang Bayingolin Prefecture Ruoqiang and Qiemu Date Festival kicked off in Ruoqiang County. During the opening ceremony, businesses from across the country signed contracts to purchase dates from Ruoqiang and Qiemu, with a total signing volume of 82,000 tons.

The Bayingolin Prefecture, known for its advantageous date production, is located in the Tarim Basin, characterized by long sunlight hours, low rainfall, and significant temperature variations between day and night. These conditions enhance the nutritional and sugar content of the dates. Over the past 20 years, the date industry has become a vital source of income for local farmers.

According to reports, there are currently 77 new agricultural operators in the date industry in Bayingolin, with an annual processing capacity of nearly 50,000 tons. At the festival, we observed a range of date products on display, attracting numerous buyers and locals eager to learn more and taste offerings such as date puree, date wine, date vinegar, and date honey.

In 2024, the date planting area in Ruoqiang County is expected to exceed 230,000 acres, with an anticipated production of over 126,000 tons (equivalent to 82,000 tons of dried dates). In Qiemu County, the planting area is expected to surpass 90,000 acres, with a projected yield of over 60,000 tons (approximately 34,900 tons of dried dates).

Additionally, the “Research Institute for Date Industry Development in Xinjiang: Ruoqiang Research Base” was inaugurated on the same day. This base will focus on research applications related to date breeding, cultivation, deep processing, and the comprehensive use of fruit and tree waste, providing technical support for the development of the Ruoqiang date industry and leading the way for the date industry in Xinjiang.

Zhang Xin, Deputy Secretary of the Bayingolin Party Committee, stated that the local government will enhance the promotion of agricultural products, maintain a sound market order, and work towards building a more efficient logistics and warehousing system. The goal is to attract businesses while ensuring consumers feel secure in their purchases. Zhang expressed hopes for strengthened communication and cooperation with various sectors to jointly explore markets, build brands, and increase the value of Bayingolin’s high-quality products on a national scale.