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Vineyard Industries Toast Success Wine, Grape Growing Wild
In the next 15 years the country's wine output is expected to double, and the rapid growth will simultaneously motivate the development of the grape industry, said Guo Qichang, the chief engineer of China's Wine-making Association, and industry expert.
Guo made the remarks at a symposium on the grape and wine industries over the weekend in Penglai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong Province. The area is also China's biggest grape-producers for winemaking.
In 1999, vineyards covered 223,333 hectares of China, with an output reaching 2.7 million tons. Wine production totalled more than 400,000 tons last year. The industry has expanded at a yearly average of 30 per cent in past five years.
By 2015 the estimated total production output will reach 900,000 tons and average wine consumption per capita will rise from the current 0.2 litres to 0.7 litres.
Since 1994 China has put an emphasis on developing its wine market. After a few years' efforts it now boasts a number of famous wineries, such as Changyu, Dynasty and Great Wall.
The industry's rapid growth is due to the increasing economy in recent years, said officials. Last year the country's vineyards grew by 6,667 hectares.
After China's pending entry into the World Trade Organization the grape and wine industries will face both opportunities and challenges, said Fei Kaiwei, head of the Grape Branch of China's Agriculture Association.
Guo said China is setting new standards on winemaking to catch up to the international market.
Participants also made various suggestions on grape and wine industries for Penglai, saying the city is the most appropriate place in China for grape production.
Seven of the 10 most famous Chinese wineries have established plants in Penglai, including Changyu, Great Wall, Dynasty and Wanda.
It now has 2,000 hectares of vineyards with two-thirds set aside for winemaking.
"Grape and wine industries will become another Penglai pillar industry in the future," said Liu Shuqi, Party secretary of the city.
It is expected that Penglai's vineyards will soar to 10,000 hectares in 10 years, while its wine output will surpass 100,000 tons.
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