Chongqing -  Known as the “king of berries,” blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, and various minerals. With potent antioxidant properties, they are believed to support brain health, protect eyesight, strengthen the heart, and boost the immune system.

In September, Chongqing Ruihang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., located in Nanchuan District of Chongqing, launched its anthocyanin freeze-dried powder production line, marking Chongqing's first foray into large-scale blueberry anthocyanin extraction.

“While production capacity is currently modest (about 3 kilograms per batch), the value of these extracts is significant,” Deng Dingyang, production director of Ruihang Biotechnology, said on Dec. 6. To date, the company has extracted more than 20 kilograms of anthocyanins during its pilot phase, which is projected to generate nearly 5 million yuan (USD 689.626) in revenue by the end of the year.

The fully operational production line is expected to achieve an annual output value of over 50 million yuan by 2025.

Challenges in Chongqing's blueberry market

Blueberry cultivation in Chongqing began in 2000, and by 2023 the city had planted approximately 20.000 mu (about 1.333 hectares). Despite the high initial market price (often exceeding 100 yuan per 500 grams), the expansion of domestic production and an influx of imported blueberries have led to a sharp drop in prices, with some varieties now selling for as little as 10.000 yuan per tonne.

Compared with major production areas such as Chengjiang and Honghe in Yunnan, Xichang in Sichuan, and Weihai and Rushan in Shandong, Chongqing faces unique challenges, explained Song Guidong, marketing director of Ruihang Biotechnology. “Our rainy season often overlaps with the blueberry harvest, resulting in a higher proportion of rain-damaged fruit, which hinders competitiveness in the fresh fruit market. To thrive, Chongqing’s industry must shift toward specialty varieties and advanced processing.”

Since 2022, Nanchuan County has invested 120 million yuan to upgrade its blueberry industry. It has introduced premium varieties such as “Eureka” and built six advanced production lines along with the largest intelligent cold storage facility in southwest China, with a capacity of 10.000 tons.

Ruihang Biotechnology currently produces a variety of processed products, including NFC cranberry juice (not from concentrate), cranberry wine, cranberry jam, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) cranberry concentrate, and lutein-enriched cranberry concentrate. These products have seen strong demand, with an estimated processing capacity of 13.000 tons per year, supported by at least 20.000 mu (approximately 1.333 hectares) of cranberry cultivation.

"More than 20 bases across the country have joined the Nanchuan blueberry industry alliance, contributing to an expected processing output value of 25 million yuan this year," Deng said.

Advanced Extraction Techniques

Anthocyanin extraction from blueberries represents the pinnacle of the industry's deep processing capabilities. Anthocyanins are among the most potent natural antioxidants, with anti-aging and cell-protecting properties that exceed vitamin E by 50 times and vitamin C by 200 times, explained Zhang Shengyu, director of the Pilot Laboratory of the Special Center for Biopharmaceutical Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology.

Staff operate the equipment to extract anthocyanins. (Photo/Chongqing Ruihang Biotechnology)

However, extracting these compounds is a complex, resource-intensive process. “The anthocyanin content of blueberry is only a fraction of a thousandth, and separating it from other components of the fruit involves intricate purification steps,” Zhang noted. After three years of research, Harbin Institute of Technology and Ruihang Biotechnology jointly developed a dual-channel extraction system, which enables the efficient production of freeze-dried anthocyanin powder.

The process, which includes soaking, purification and drying, can take up to a week to complete. “From each ton of blueberries, we extract one kilogram of anthocyanins, the market price of which exceeds 200.000 yuan per kilogram,” Song said.

By 2026, Ruihang Biotechnology plans to purchase raw materials worth 150 million yuan and achieve a deep processing output value of 500 million yuan. “We aim to transform Chongqing’s blueberry industry into a benchmark for high-value agricultural innovation,” Song concluded.