The 2026 Guangdong Suixi Sweet Potato Industry Development Conference opened on March 27 in Suixi County of Zhanjiang City, bringing together industry leaders, farmers and international buyers.
The event showcased the county's fast-growing sweet potato sector, with exhibitions, trade meetings and product displays aimed at strengthening supply chains and boosting exports.
Suixi is one of China's largest sweet potato producers, with more than 26,666.67 hectares under cultivation and an annual output of about one million tonnes. Local officials say this accounts for over half of the country's winter harvest.
The industry has grown into a major part of the local economy, with a total value of around 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion US dollars), supporting more than 100,000 farming households. Annual online sales have surpassed 460 million yuan.
Sweet potatoes from Suixi are sold across China and exported to markets including Canada, the Netherlands and Malaysia through e-commerce and regional trade platforms, such as JD.com's "China Speciality · Suixi Pavilion" and RCEP member countries' trade channels.
Some overseas buyers say the product is gaining popularity. "They are sweet and have a good texture," said a sales manager from a Thai fruit company.
Author | Chen Huan, Fu Xiaobing
Photo | Yu Guoqiong
Revised by Huang Qini.
