Core Viewpoint - The Zaozhuang City Government is hosting the 2025 Pomegranate Industry Development Conference from September 23 to 24, focusing on high-quality development of the pomegranate industry, with the theme "Passion for Pomegranates, Together for the Future" [1][3] Industry Overview - Zaozhuang is known as the "Hometown of Pomegranates" in China, where pomegranates serve as a cultural symbol and a means to promote rural revitalization and increase farmers' income [3][5] - The total output value of the pomegranate industry chain in Zaozhuang reached 4.8 billion yuan in 2024, establishing pomegranates as a "fruit of happiness" for the local population [3][5] Technological Advancements - The area dedicated to pomegranate cultivation remains stable at over 120,000 acres, with an annual production exceeding 120 million pounds [5] - Zaozhuang has collected and preserved 523 varieties of pomegranate germplasm, ranking first in China and leading globally [5] - New pomegranate varieties such as "Frost Beauty" and "Mid-Autumn Red" are undergoing review, while "Purple Jade" and "Ink Beauty" have passed national approval [5] - In 2025, Zaozhuang will initiate an upgrade project for the pomegranate germplasm resource bank, focusing on advanced technologies like space breeding and molecular breeding [5] Market Development - In the previous year, 530,000 new pomegranate trees were planted, achieving a good seed coverage rate of 41% [5] - The establishment of the largest modern pomegranate demonstration garden in the country has solidified Zaozhuang's market position [5] - Since 2024, 25 new deep processing projects have been launched with a total investment of 7.9 billion yuan, covering various sectors including food, beverages, cosmetics, and crafts [5] - The "Guanshi Liuyuan" scenic area received 1.8 million visitors in 2024, generating tourism revenue of 167 million yuan, with continued rapid growth in the first half of this year [5] Policy Support and Brand Development - The Zaozhuang City Government has introduced the "Zaozhuang City Pomegranate Industry High-Quality Development Plan (2024-2035)," establishing a new spatial pattern of "one core leading, two axes radiating, and three areas linking" [6] - The "Zhaocheng Pomegranate" brand has been included in the national agricultural brand cultivation plan and the 2024 China Agricultural Regional Public Brand list [6] - The conference will feature participation from national ministries, provincial leaders, experts, industry representatives, international guests, and media, showcasing the achievements of the pomegranate industry and promoting cooperation [6]