Chinese living standards have recently increased and consumption patterns changed. People value healthy food. Chicory has a high resistance against plant diseases and does not require chemical pesticides during the growing process. It can be described as a green, healthy, safe vegetable. Chicory perfectly meets Chinese consumer demand for healthy food.
"We imported chicory varieties from the Netherlands in 2014. We began with large-scale cultivation in a closed environment without using chemical fertilizer or pesticide. This year, we already reached a surface area of 33 hectares devoted to chicory plantation. We apply 'soft cultivation' techniques. Up until now we are the only company in the industry that grows chicory all year round and supplies 'Gold Jade Orchid' in all four seasons." This is according to Mr. Liu Xiujun, board chair of Hebei Lianxing Jiayao Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
"At this stage, we sell 70% of our chicory, chicory root tea and related products wholesale to restaurants in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Shandong. Most of them are Western style restaurants. We sell the remaining 30% as gift-boxes in high-end markets."
