Farmers pick snow pears in an orchard in Yunhe county in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Yunhe snow pear's entire industrial chain output has exceeded one billion yuan ($149.09 million) after over 30 years of development.

In Lizhuang village in Lishui's Yunhe county, Zhejiang province, orchards are heavy with fruit. In half a month, over 10 metric tons of fresh pears will be processed with Cili fruits from Guizhou province into a vitamin C drink for the Yangtze River Delta.

Yunhe has also worked with Zhejiang University to create 21 processed products, including pear craft beer, sparkling water and fragrance.

Yunhe snow pear is a traditional local fruit. For over three decades, the county has made it the leading agricultural industry, promoting large-scale, industrialized, and branded development.

The industry once declined, but since the late 1990s, Yunhe has rescued old trees, conducted germplasm surveys, and bred a new variety. It now preserves 332 varieties and has 23 large-scale bases.

Yunhe has expanded pear planting area by 10,000 mu (666.67 hectares), advanced processing, cold-chain logistics, and agritourism, and saw its geographical indication brand receive a two billion yuan credit line in recent years. Yunhe snow pears have also entered the European Union market.

The industry has helped more than 10 village collectives boost annual income by 3 million yuan, generated over 6,000 jobs, and raised per capita income by over 25,000 yuan. Yunhe plans to expand this model further and develop a prominent symbol.