Longan is a key agricultural product and an economic pillar for Maoming. By 2025, Maoming's longan industry aims to reach a value of 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion).

By 2023, Maoming's longan cultivation reached 817,300 mu (54,487 hectares), with a total output of 562,700 metric tons and an industry value exceeding 8 billion yuan, surpassing mid-term goals.

Maoming has over 100 enterprises and 5,000 family workshops processing more than 200,000 tons of fresh longan annually. Companies like Fengsheng Foods and Jinlong Fruit Industry are innovating in longan processing, with advanced equipment enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.

The city leverages its longan resources to promote cultural and tourism integration. The Chuliang Mother Tree Park and other cultural sites attract tourists, blending agriculture with local culture. This integration has boosted rural tourism, increasing incomes for 200,000 people.

To date, longan preservation and early cultivation techniques have significantly improved, ensuring fresh longan reaches markets swiftly. Innovations like the "early season" cultivation technique allow staggered harvesting, reducing market saturation and increasing farmer incomes. Maoming is poised to continue to invest in technology and training to enhance longan quality and production efficiency.

Maoming's longan. [Photo/WeChat account: maofabu]