Wuxi's support for grape farmers bears fruit

A farmer sells grapes on the street in Huangtu town in Jiangyin, a county-level city of Wuxi, Jiangsu province on July 20, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The agricultural commission is also mulling over introducing supportive policies to boost grape sales and raise the town's profile.

In 2012, Jiangyin Guxiangqing, a professional cooperative, was founded in the town. The cooperative provides a sales platform for farmers and is dedicated to developing a grape brand. Farmers can voluntarily join the cooperative. Once they become a member of the cooperative, they are not allowed to sell grapes independently.

With the rapid development of e-commerce across China, the cooperative is exploring new sales approaches, according to Xu Wenbo, director of the cooperative. The cooperative has conducted cooperation with Shunfeng Express, China's leading delivery company, to provide online services.

Online sales have greatly streamlined the sales process and cut delivery costs, Xu said. In the past, Huangtu grapes were usually sold only to buyers in the local area; now they are available to customers across the country.

Dong Zejian, a local grape farmer who joined the cooperative in 2012, said the cooperative has helped increase his income by at least 4,000 yuan ($593) per mu (0.07 hectares). Previously, the grapes were sold to dealers, who would try every possible means to force down prices, Dong said.