The winter kiwifruit harvest is underway in northwest China, with production leader Shaanxi province using smart tech to process deliveries.
A new processing plant at Zhouzhi County is currently sorting out the fruits using infrared and precision technologies to ascertain freshness and quality.
According to Dahe news on November 2, 2025, the facility photographs the fruits 240 times inside sorting lines to detect blemishes.
The Zhouzhi Kiwifruit Integrated Development Center also boasts cold storage for 20,000 tonnes of ripe fruits for yearlong supply.
Cold temperatures averaging 0.5ºC mimic those in long distance logistics, to keep the fruits in good hydration.
Extended Agri-tech
This processing revolution also extends to the agri-tech surrounding Shaanxi’s kiwifruit planting before the crop reaches sorting factories.
It all starts with quality kiwi germplasm, like the drought-resistant Cui Xiang by the Zhouzhi Agricultural Science & Technology Experiment Station.
According to a lead engineer at the facility, Zhang Xiaobin, the variety already commands 150,000 mu (10,000 ha) in provincial cultivated area.
Coupled to this is sustainability technology, one of which has fostered 30% water intake reduction at the kiwi-rich Meixian county.
Here, the College of Plant Protection at Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) is currently exploring shelf life extension technology. If successful, the tech will prolong kiwifruit freshness by up to a month, thus giving producers market edge.
Concerning which, wholesale kiwifruit prices in China in early November 2025 were averaging $3.5 per kg, reflecting mounting winter time supplies.
The Shaanxi kiwifruit harvest also extends beyond those of the east-central province of Guzhang and the southwestern province of Guizhou – ensuring market competitiveness. This is a point that the following statistics section explores via data on comparative production.
Shaanxi Kiwifruit Statistics
While China produces around 52% of the world’s kiwifruit (2025), its northwest province of Shaanxi supplies 51.39% of the national output (2021). Because only 1% of the national crop undergoes export, competition between producing provinces substitutes international rivalry. As such, the nearest domestic competitor is Sichuan province, which harvests 17.70% of the national crop annually (2021).
Which county produces the most kiwifruits in Shaanxi?
Meixian county leads production by growing 1 in each 7 kiwifruits in China. This equals to 10% of worldwide reserves, according to China Daily. In 2021, the county had over 200 sq. km under the fruit that produced 0.52 million tonnes worth 5.85 billion yuan ($918.75 million).
What distinguishes Shaanxi’s kiwifruit cultivation?
Since counties like Meixian rely on kiwifruit farming for 80% of growers’ disposable revenues, technology to maximize livelihoods distinguishes cultivation. University research not only develops resilient cultivars but uses an Internet of Things-connected system to grow and monitor crops. This system apparently reduces water usage, fertilizer application and pesticides by 30%, 25% and 35% in specific sample areas.