Three tonnes of dried tofu skin produced in Heping County, Heyuan City, were dispatched to the United States on February 3, marking the county's first overseas export of the product this year.
Valued at 15,000 U.S. dollars, the shipment departed from the provincial modern agricultural industrial park for dried tofu skin in Heping.
The exporter, Guangdong Runze Food Co., Ltd., has previously sent five batches of Heping dried tofu skin to the U.S. market. All earlier shipments passed inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), enabling the product to enter the market through a streamlined clearance process. With regulatory access now secured, the company expects sales of Heping dried tofu skin in the United States to grow significantly this year, with annual revenue projected to exceed 2 million U.S. dollars.
The production of Heping dried tofu skin dates back more than 600 years to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, forming a distinctive local food tradition. Known for its golden color, rich soybean aroma and firm texture, the product holds up well during cooking without breaking apart or clouding the broth. It has been listed as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item in Guangdong.
Heping County is now home to 278 enterprises and family workshops engaged in dried tofu skin production and sales. In 2025, total output reached 15,800 tonnes, generating a comprehensive output value of around 700 million yuan. The industry has become a key driver of farmer income growth and rural revitalization in the county.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo | Nanfang Plus
