From scale expansion to value leap—Qingyang's apple industry has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Across the ravines and ridges of the Loess Plateau, 1.33 million acres of apple orchards stretch out, painting a vibrant picture of prosperity. Qingyang, Gansu, stands as a "golden production zone" for premium apples in China and a model for rural revitalization through industrial upgrading.

Guided by the "tri-directional circular agriculture" model, Qingyang's apple industry has focused on "variety, quality, and branding" to drive high-quality development. Through the Million-Mu High-Quality Apple Base Upgrade Project, smart technology has empowered traditional cultivation, leading to breakthroughs in yield, profitability, and brand value. By the end of 2024, the city's apple planting area stabilized at 1.33 million acres, with an output of 1.57 million tons and a total industry chain value of 11.34 billion yuan. Apple farming contributed 2,273 yuan per capita to farmers' income, accounting for 18% of rural disposable income.

**"One Core, Two Zones": Reshaping the Industrial Landscape** Qingyang restructured its apple industry by establishing a "one core, two zones" layout—centered on the Dongzhi Plateau, with mid-southern plateau efficiency zones and northern mountainous radiation zones. Six counties ranked among China’s key apple-producing regions, with 69 key towns, 10 premium late-ripening Fuji bases, and 25 10,000-acre apple belts forming a 10-billion-yuan industrial cluster.

In 2025, early-season apple output reached 233,000 tons, while mid-to-late season apples hit 1.35 million tons. Storage capacity reached 658,000 tons, with over 60% of commercial-grade apples preserved, enabling a "store in peak season, sell in off-season" model.

**Tech-Driven Quality Leap** Qingyang’s success lies in quality enhancement. Annual orchard upgrades improved commercial-grade rates to 85%, with premium-grade apples reaching 70%. The introduction of new varieties like Ruixue and Ruiyang—developed by Northwest A&F University—helped break homogeneity in the market. Since 2012, Qingyang partnered with the university to build China’s first municipal-level "Modern Apple Industry Technology System."

In 2024, a tech cooperation agreement further boosted R&D, with Ruixue emerging as a star variety. Its crisp texture, balanced sweetness, and storage durability commanded prices of 7–8 yuan per jin, 6.7% higher than traditional varieties. Smart orchards, big data platforms, and digital sorting centers now empower precision farming and off-season sales.

**Full-Chain Integration for Sustainable Growth** Qingyang built an integrated ecosystem covering production, processing, and sales. Two leading enterprises, six backbone firms, 376 cooperatives, and 38 family farms engage over 100,000 households. In Baimapu Town, a 20,000-ton smart storage facility coordinates nine companies, boosting sales of premium varieties like Ruixue by 20%.

Companies like Qingyang Juli Agriculture adopt "company + cooperative + base + farmer" models, ensuring stable incomes through guaranteed purchases. Standardized and contract farming now dominate, reducing market risks.

**Brand Breakthrough and Value Surge** Branding has been pivotal. Qingyang launched a three-tier brand system under the slogan "Qingyang—Blessed Land, Heavenly Fruit." Marketing campaigns and events like the China Apple Annual Conference expanded its reach. In 2025, Qingyang Apple ranked among China’s top regional brands (geographical indications), with a brand value of 7.05 billion yuan—a 255.8% increase from 2020.

At the 2025 Qingyang Apple Marketing Conference, contracts worth 5.5 billion yuan were signed, a record high. With technology, branding, and full-chain integration, Qingyang apples are not just fruits but symbols of the Loess Plateau’s agricultural modernization.