E-commerce and Mechanization Transform Mango Industry in Southern China
The city of Baise in Guangxi, China, renowned for its mango production, has experienced a major transformation driven by e-commerce and mechanization. The mango industry in Baise has expanded significantly from 10,000 mu in 1985 to 1.22 million mu by 2025, with an anticipated annual output of 1.26 million tonnes. This growth has benefited over 200,000 rural households.
A key change came with the adoption of e-commerce, initiated around 2012. According to Meng Tiangeng, president of the Tiandong E-commerce Association, local traders pioneered the online sale of perishable goods, significantly expanding the market for Baise's Guiqi mango variety. E-commerce helped the Guiqi mango achieve a premium price of 16 to 20 yuan per kilo by 2014, transforming it into a nationally recognized brand.
To maintain fruit quality during transport, local growers adhere to specific e-commerce sales standards, including the appropriate ripeness for shipment to various destinations. For instance, mangoes are shipped at 85% ripeness to distant cities like Beijing.
Mechanization in mango harvesting has also increased, with drones playing a crucial role. Yang Jiang, a local grower, reports that drones have replaced half of the manual labor, reducing labor costs significantly. These drones can carry up to 50 kilograms of fruit, improving efficiency by at least 30 times compared to manual harvesting.
Export processing has seen innovations as well. Lin De'en, who manages an export processing business, turned to processing and freezing mango pulp into ice pops for export, overcoming challenges in shipping ripe Tainong mangoes. This approach has expanded to markets in Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
Domestically, China's beverage sector has become a major customer for processed mango products. Baise mangoes are used in various drinks by brands like Mixue. Supported by RCEP tariff incentives and the China-Europe Railway Express, processed mango exports from Baise reached 70 million yuan last year, with local officials forecasting 30% annual growth over the next five years.
Lu Peng'an, a local student, reflects on these developments, noting how his work in an e-commerce packing warehouse has broadened his understanding of the industry beyond traditional farming practices.
