China’s Premier Canned Fruit Town – Dangfang Town
An industrial cluster accounting for one-third of the nation’s canned fruit output
Nestled in the heart of Pingyi County, Linyi City, Shandong Province, Dangfang Town spans just over 140 square kilometres with a registered population of approximately 90,000. Yet it stands as one of China’s most influential fruit canning industry clusters. The fruit preserves produced here command over 30% of the national market, making canning the region’s absolute pillar industry. Consequently, the China Canning Industry Association has formally designated Dangfang Town as:“ China’s Premier Canning Town”.
Raw Material Advantage: Stable and Traceable Fruit Supply
Located in a hilly region of Pingyi County, Linyi City, Difang Town has a long history of fruit cultivation and is recognized as one of China’s traditional fruit-growing areas.
Over decades of development, the town has established a large-scale, concentrated, and sustainable fruit supply system, providing a solid foundation for its canned fruit industry.
Key planting resources include:
● 37,000 mu of premium yellow peach orchards
● 20,000 mu of hawthorn plantations
● 11 specialized fruit-growing bases, including Tianbao pear
● Total fruit planting area of 72,000 mu●Total fruit planting area of 72,000 mu
● More than 10,000 farming households engaged in long-term fruit cultivation
This well-organized agricultural structure ensures stable, continuous, and traceable raw material supply, enabling local canneries to support large-volume and long-term orders with consistency.
From “Abundant Harvests but Low Returns” to the Rise of a Canning Industry
Before the 1980s, Difang Town faced a common challenge in agricultural regions:
limited transportation, a single industrial structure, and the perishability of fresh fruit often led to oversupply and waste, despite high yields.
In 1984, the town established its first privately owned canned fruit processing facility, marking the beginning of fruit deep processing. As more producers followed, a local canning cluster gradually took shape.
By the 1990s, canned fruits from Difang Town were distributed to provinces such as Hubei, Henan, the three northeastern provinces, and Gansu, ushering in a period of rapid growth and expanding market recognition.
Industry Consolidation: Quality and Credibility Built Through Challenges
The development of Difang Town’s canned fruit industry has not been without setbacks.
During the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 and the industry-wide trust crisis in the early 2000s, the sector experienced two major rounds of consolidation:
● The number of canneries decreased from over 300 to around 60.
● Producers relying on short-term or non-compliant practices were eliminated.
● Companies committed to quality, compliance, and long-term credibility survived and expanded.
These consolidations marked a critical turning point, pushing the industry toward standardization, scale, and international market readiness.
Technology Upgrades: Higher Efficiency, Quality, and Food Safety
As the industry matured, local manufacturers continuously invested in semi-automatic and fully automated equipment, including:
● Peach cutting and pitting machines
● Cooking and sterilization systems
● Automated sorting, peeling, filling, sealing, and retorting lines
Except for a small number of precision trimming steps, most processes are fully mechanized. From harvest to finished canning, a fresh yellow peach can be processed into canned fruit within 6 hours, helping preserve natural flavor while meeting strict food safety standards.
A Mature Industrial Cluster Serving Global Markets
Today, Difang Town has developed into a complete canned fruit industrial cluster, centered on fruit and vegetable canning and supported by related industries, including:
● Fruit cultivation
● Canned food processing
● Glass packaging manufacturing
● Printed packaging materials
● Logistics and supply chain services
The industry directly supports nearly 20,000 jobs, and canned fruits from Difang Town now account for approximately one-third of China’s total canned fruit output, making the town a reliable and influential supplier within China’s export-oriented canning sector.
One Can of Fruit, Connecting Land, Industry, and Global Markets
A single can of fruit represents more than just sweetness and convenience—it reflects decades of industrial accumulation, technological progress, and a commitment to honest manufacturing.
Through this “sweet industry,” Difang Town has created sustainable income for farmers, added value to agriculture, and continues to deliver stable supply and dependable quality to markets around the world.