The Chinese prickle, boasting a myriad of flavors, can be deemed a quintessential "national dish" that goes well with rice. Sichuan Jixiangju Food Co, a pickle provider in Guangyuan, Sichuan province, has seen its products highly-regarded by the global market.

On Feb 28, the local press team visited the production site of Jixiangju. En route, they witnessed the bright workshop, pristine production environment, and eco-friendly product ethos championed by the company's leadership to maintain stringent production standards and unwavering commitment to quality.

Workers pack pickle products on the production line. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

Products sold to over 40 countries and regions

Five production lines dedicated to pickle processing, alongside two additional food production lines, hum with activity, painting a picture of prosperity.

"The company's February order volume surged by approximately 25 percent compared to last year," exclaimed Zhou Qiang, the company's production director. The company maintains a steady daily production output ranging from 10,000 to 12,000 boxes, equating to an output value of around 200 million yuan ($27.78 million).

With a diverse portfolio of over 100 kinds of products, the company's reach extends not only across the nation but also spans more than 40 countries and regions, including the European Union and the United Kingdom. Among these offerings, staples such as kelp shreds, mustard core, and cowpeas stand out as core products cherished by consumers.

Zhou Qiang attributes this success to the company's rigorous quality control measures and astute understanding of market demand.

Workers make pickle products on the production line. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

Every production link can be traced

On the bustling production line, automated filling equipment operates, swiftly and precisely filling each batch through the unloading machine. Meanwhile, quality inspectors scrutinize every finished product.

"Each product undergoes meticulous selection processes and multiple layers of refinement before gracing consumers' dining tables," explained Zhou Qiang.

"The company recognizes the importance of product quality, and has therefore established standardized vegetable processing and production protocols, along with implementing a robust product traceability system," Zhou Qiang emphasized.

"From the selection of vegetable seeds and seedling cultivation to harvesting, cleaning, fermentation, and processing, every stage will be monitored to ensure quality control right from the source," he added.

Pickle products made by the Sichuan Jixiangju Food Co [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

A vegetable base helpful for local farmers

Securing a stable raw material supply stands as the linchpin for enterprise growth. Recognizing this, the company has spared no efforts in developing vegetable bases.

As the over 30,000 acres of designated vegetable planting areas have been cultivated, 8,000 farmers across 50 towns in the city have benefited from it, with their annual per capita income increasing by 800 to 1,000 yuan.

In the workshop, worker Cao Xingjian was seen weighing and packing boxes. He said, "It's just a little over 10 minutes by motorcycle to reach the company. Last month, I earned over 5,000 yuan."

Looking ahead, Wang Weilong, the company's general manager, envisions a future where they not only tantalize taste buds with more delectable offerings but also redouble efforts in talent development, raw material procurement, and quality control.

By continually enhancing its core competitiveness, the company aims to play an even more significant role in advancing the industry’s development.