Locals shop at the first Spring Festival farm produce fair in Yangquan city on Jan 12. [Photo/yqnews.com.cn] 

The first Spring Festival farm produce fair, which opened in Yangquan city in northern Shanxi province on Jan 12, is currently bustling with shoppers in the runup to the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. 

More than 300 kinds of high-quality agricultural specialties from over 60 local companies in eight categories -- including dairy, grain and drink -- are on display at the three-day fair, hosted by the Yangquan agriculture and rural affairs bureau and Yangquan office of poverty alleviation and development.

The fair has specially set up a free tasting area for visitors to sample farm produce while browsing products and shopping. The organizers said this attracts more visitors to the fair and enables them to better understand local agricultural products. 

"It is rare to have such a local agricultural product fair. I'm very surprised that our hometown has so many quality local specialties," said a woman surnamed Wang at the fair.

Apart from enriching locals' dining tables, the fair also demonstrates the achievements of the city's special agricultural development and its agricultural brand building. 

Yangquan has been implementing a strategy of rural revitalization, exploring regional characteristics and optimizing and streamlining its agricultural industry since 2019.

To date, the city has had 172 products recognized as pollution-free agricultural products and 55 agricultural companies have been lauded for their green and eco-friendly agricultural production.