Ningbo kicks tea harvest. [Photo/Tide News]

The spring tea harvest began in Ningbo on March 21, marked by a lively opening ceremony at the Sanshan Yuye tea base in Beilun district.

The event also featured a showcase of renowned tea brands from Yuyao, Ninghai and Fenghua, presenting a vivid panorama of Ningbo's premium green tea heritage.

In recent years, Ningbo has been pursuing high-quality development in its tea industry. With tea plantations covering about 210,000 mu (14,000 hectares), the city's total tea output value surpassed 5 billion yuan ($725.67 million) in 2025 — an increase of nearly 25 percent compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20). The sector has helped boost incomes for over 100,000 farmers.

Technology is also enhancing the value of Ningbo tea. By collaborating with Zhejiang University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the city has developed 30 new tea varieties, including the high-amino-acid Huangjinya, now one of the most profitable cultivars.

Beyond green tea, Ningbo is diversifying into black, white, and dark teas while expanding its global reach. In 2025, tea exports reached $120 million, with the local brand Donghai Longshe entering the high-end European Union market.

Meanwhile, innovative models that blend tea culture with homestays and study tours are energizing rural vitalization, turning tea from a simple product into a rich cultural and tourism experience.