Intl Vegetable Science & Technology Expo opens in Shouguang

The 27th China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Science and Technology Expo opened on April 20 in Shouguang, Weifang, debuting a massive showcase of over 2,600 vegetable varieties from domestic and international breeders, including more than 400 new cultivars.

This year's event features nearly 1,000 exhibition booths hosted by over 500 companies. The venue spans 11 indoor pavilions, a high-yield greenhouse cultivation zone, a vegetable museum, and outdoor demonstration areas.

Now in its 27th year, the expo has become a leading platform for agricultural technology, a catalyst for industrial growth, and a bridge for international exchange.

Central to the exhibition is the "Shouguang model" — a set of standardized farming practices developed locally and successfully implemented across China and in more than 40 countries and regions worldwide.

The 27th China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Science and Technology Expo opens on April 20 in Shouguang, Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo/Dazhong News]

"Come to Hall 10 and experience the cutting-edge technology," said Ma Zunjun, director of the digital agriculture exhibition hall. Hall 10 offers an interactive showcase of frontier technologies, including autonomous agricultural robots, space breeding, hydrogen-powered farming, and advanced trellis cultivation. These displays offer a comprehensive look at the latest breakthroughs in facility agriculture and smart farming.

The 27th edition of the expo continues its tradition of global cooperation, inviting Pakistan as this year's guest of honor. The opening ceremony also welcomed business representatives from Belt and Road countries.

"From precision-controlled smart greenhouses to breakthroughs in molecular breeding, Shouguang presents more than just an abundance of produce; it offers a forward-looking philosophy for the future of food," said Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan's ambassador to China, during the opening ceremony.

He noted that the technologies on display are crucial for Pakistan’s agricultural modernization and expressed optimism for deeper bilateral cooperation, adding, "May the seeds of the Shouguang model take root and flourish in the fields of Pakistan as well."

The expo will run through May 30, providing visitors with a month-long glimpse into the future of agricultural science.

Giant pumpkins on display at the 27th China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Science and Technology Expo. [Photo/Dazhong News]