On May 18, the 10th China–Russia Expo was in full swing. At this major economic and trade event, Shanxi’s signature exhibition hall drew huge crowds, with Qikou red jujubes from Lin County, Lüliang, standing out thanks to their plump appearance and rich, mellow flavor. These jujubes quickly became a hit product at the expo, delighting both domestic and international visitors with the distinctive taste of Sanjin along the banks of the Yellow River.

　　Stepping into the “Jinwei Selection” exhibition area in Shanxi, one finds the Qikou Red Jujube booth constantly bustling with visitors and enveloped in an enticing aroma. The jujubes, bright and lustrous red, are neatly displayed—each fruit boasts thick, plump flesh and a round, well‑shaped form. When peeled open, the tender pulp releases a rich, fragrant jujube scent, while the seedless, crisp‑sweet texture leaves an unforgettable impression, drawing passersby to stop, sample, and engage in discussions. Meanwhile, staff members busily portion out samples, introduce the products, and process orders, their energetic presence painting a vivid picture of the thriving sales of Shanxi‑branded agricultural specialties.

　　“For the first time, I’ve tasted red dates with such a wonderful texture—not overly sweet and delightfully firm. They’re perfect whether enjoyed on their own or used in soups!” exclaimed Andrei, a buyer from Russia, after sampling them. Many domestic exhibitors and local Harbin residents who came to visit were also drawn in by the authentic flavors of Shanxi, and by mid-morning, the booth had already sold more than ten boxes of the product.

Qikou Red Jujubes are sourced from Lin County, known as the “Home of Chinese Jujubes.” The region boasts 820,000 mu of jujube orchards and an annual output of 360 million jin, making it one of the largest contiguous county‑level jujube cultivation areas in China. Benefiting from the sandy soils along the Yellow River and abundant sunshine, these jujubes accumulate high levels of natural sugars and rich nutrients, renowned for their large size, small pits, thick flesh, thin skin, and sweet, fragrant flavor. They have been granted national geographical indication protection. Grown entirely through eco‑friendly farming practices and naturally sun‑dried, they preserve their authentic taste, with a diverse product lineup that includes dried jujubes, purple crystal jujubes, and sour jujube products.

　　As a leading agricultural enterprise in Shanxi Province, Shanxi Qikouhong Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. has deeply cultivated the red jujube industry, adopting a “company–farmer–base–cooperative” model to help tens of thousands of jujube growers increase their incomes. The company also collaborates with provincial universities and agricultural research institutes to conduct technological R&D, refine processing techniques, and launch a range of value-added products—including seedless red jujubes, dried jujubes, and candied jujubes—balancing taste, quality, and portability to meet both domestic and international consumer market demands.

Staff explained that Qikou Red Jujubes cater to the Russian market’s demand for healthy, natural agricultural products. Their appearance at the China–Russia Expo marks an important step in deepening cooperation with Russia and expanding into the Northeast Asian market.
 

　　A small red jujube connects the mountains to the world. At this year’s China–Russia Expo, Qikou Red Jujubes have used quality as a bridge and flavor as a medium to showcase Shanxi’s distinctive agricultural competitiveness and its open‑minded stance. Looking ahead, as China–Russia economic and trade cooperation continues to deepen, this vibrant “Chinese red” along the banks of the Yellow River will carry its aroma ever farther, helping Shanxi’s premium agricultural products step onto an even broader international stage.