Xining's cool-climate farms thrive as China's vegetable demand grows

Xining, in Qinghai Province, is expanding its cold-climate vegetable production as temperatures rise elsewhere in China. The city has invested nearly 800 million yuan (around $111 million) in agricultural infrastructure to support this growing industry. Cool fields in the region continue to thrive even as other areas warm up in early May. The high-altitude location of Xining, with its cool summers and low pest activity, gives its vegetables a competitive edge in supply, safety, and quality. By 2025, the city’s cold-climate vegetable planting area had reached 262,000 mu, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. Output also rose by 8.1%, totaling 714,600 tons.

To strengthen production, Xining has established 10 large-scale vegetable bases, each covering over 10,000 mu, along with 53 smaller bases exceeding 1,000 mu. Local producers like Ma Ying are contributing to this growth, cultivating selenium-rich potatoes and purple garlic on a 53-hectare plot. The industry’s expansion has spurred related sectors, including cold-chain logistics and e-commerce. A new distribution centre is under construction to supply cold-climate vegetables to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Currently, over 80% of Xining’s vegetable output is sold outside Qinghai, reaching markets in Beijing and other provinces.

Xining’s investment in cold-climate agriculture is boosting both local production and wider market reach. With rising output and new infrastructure, the city is positioning itself as a key supplier of high-quality vegetables. The growth of related industries further strengthens its role in China’s agricultural sector.