In the crisp autumn air, branches are heavy with fruit. At this critical time when opportunities and challenges coexist in the grape market, a major event concerning the future of China's grape industry – the "Solutions & Profitability" 2025 Grape Growers Breakthrough Conference – was grandly held on September 22 in Xichang. The conference brought together more than 400 distributors, retailers, and Shine Muscat growers from across the country to jointly discuss the development path of the grape industry and solve the industry's difficult problem of transitioning from "growing well" to "selling well."

The Grand Scene at the "Solutions & Profitability" 2025 Grape Growers Breakthrough Conference

Visit to Xide Aiyang Base

Against the backdrop of a sluggish grape market this year, the Aiyang Base broke through and opened at a high price of 14 RMB/kg on September 2. After nearly half the harvest had been picked, it still maintained a high price with supply falling short of demand. On the morning of September 22, all participants, divided into groups led by instructors, visited the base to exchange advanced ideas on fruit quality improvement and water-fertilizer management.

1.Fruit quality is closely related to tree vigor. Emphasizing the efficiency of leaf photosynthesis and root nutrient supply is a true insight gained from production practice.

2.The improvement and optimization of the soil environment at the Aiyang Base is the top priority in orchard management and investment. Through the reasonable application of GreatRoot, Dagai Tu (Major Soil Amendment), and organic fertilizers, the soil environment is improved and soil organic matter content is increased. Raising good trees and good root systems is the only way to produce high-quality fruit that combines both grain size and flavor.

3.To achieve large fruit grains, it does not rely on treatment agents but on water and fertilizer control. The base achieved a yield of 60,000 kg/ha and an average output price of 14 RMB/kg under conditions where the treatment agent concentration was halved, the application rate of macronutrients did not exceed 1,500 kg/ha, and the total topdressing cost was less than 75,000 RMB/ha. This benefits from the efficient interaction between soil and roots and the scientific and precise water-fertilizer management of "watering every day, fertilizing every three days."

4.Rapid post-harvest recovery of tree vigor and nutrient come-back is the first step to ensure consecutive bumper years. The most important things are to quickly restore tree vigor, control excessive growth after new shoots emerge, and ensure adequate nutrient come-back before winter pruning.

Enthusiastic Xide! The Aiyang Base Visit Was in Full Swing

Conference Sharing

1. In-depth Focus – The Wisdom of Sticking with Varieties

As Chairman of Sobel and owner of a thousand-mu (66.67 hectare) orchard, Mr. Wan shared from his own practical experience, delivering a themed presentation titled "How We Can Persist and Stick with Shine Muscat for Another 20 Years If We Don't Want to Change Varieties." He shared unique insights on how to dig familiar fields and maximize the value of high-quality varieties in the current era of accelerating variety iteration.

Mr. Wan Taibin, Chairman of Qingdao Sobel Crop Nutrition Co., Ltd.

2. Far-sighted Vision – Grape Industry Analysis and Trend Judgment

Mr. Liu Jun, President of the Grape Branch of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Sciences, analyzed the current development status of the grape industry from a macro perspective, predicted future market trends, and pointed out at the conference: "In the next five years, China's grape industry will usher in an era of quality revolution, where high quality commands a high price will become the new normal." He deeply analyzed industry development trends from multiple dimensions such as consumption upgrading, variety structure, and regional organization, pointing the direction of development for growers.

Mr. Liu Jun, President of the Grape Branch of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Sciences and Honorary President of the Grape Branch of the China Fruit Marketing Association

3. Innovation Leadership – New Variety Display and Prospect Analysis

"A good variety must not only taste good, but also be easy to grow and sell well."  Professor Li Chunyu displayed 18 new varieties with market potential on site, conducting a comprehensive evaluation from the aspects of cultivation characteristics, market acceptance, and economic benefits, providing growers with a wide range of choices.

Mr. Li Chunyu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Grape Branch of the China Fruit Marketing Association

4. Direct Market Insights – What Kind of Grapes Do Fruit Merchants Need?

Five representative fruit merchants analyzed and introduced from the market end: after "growing well," how to "sell well." They break sales difficulties, revealed market preferences, and taught attendees how to precisely define demand and increase fruit premium.

Grape Growers Breakthrough Conference Fruit Merchant Panel Discussion

Ms. Gong Yingchun, Head of Marketing Department of Sobel; Mr. Zhang Yong, General Manager of Liangshan Aiyang Agriculture; Mr. Xu Xiaolong, Founder of Western Paradise Aroma (Guangdong); Mr. Wei Peigen, Founder of Diamond Qinghuang Brand; Mr. Tao Chenggang, Shanghai Jingxinji; Mr. Bian Chengke, Tao Pu Bay of Xiangwei Fruit Industry; Mr. Zhu Chuansheng, Shanghai Mirong Fruit Co., Ltd. (from left to right in the photo)

5. Win-Win Cooperation – Why Professional Growers Follow Sobel

Good grapes not only need to be grown well, but also sold the right way. After solving the problems of "growing" and "selling," a core question emerges: Along the entire grape industry chain, why travel with Sobel? Addressing this question, Mr. Gao Jun, General Manager of Sobel, delivered a themed presentation, deeply interpreting "For professional farming, why choose Sobel" from product services to technical empowerment.

Mr. Gao Jun, General Manager of Qingdao Sobel Crop Nutrition Co., Ltd.

Live Demonstration – The Power of Science and Technology, Seeing is Believing

The specially arranged bioassay display session at the conference was impressive. Through comparative experiments, the remarkable effects of GreatRoot, the Rhizosphere Environment Restoration Master, in improving soil and solving rhizosphere acid stress were clearly demonstrated.    

Mr. Li Yang, Manager of Sobel PHI Plant Health Institute, Introducing the Bioassay Display

Bioassay Display Area

Bioassay Display Area

Thus, the "Solutions & Profitability" 2025 Grape Growers Breakthrough Conference concluded with great success.

"If you succeed, China's grapes will succeed! We look forward to our next gathering."