'Black strawberries' selling for 600 yuan per kg spark buzz in China

Photo shows a type of dark-colored strawberries, referred to as "black strawberries," from Xindian township, Luohe city, central China's Henan Province. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Recently, dark-colored strawberries priced up to 600 yuan ($86.28) per kilogram have gone viral on the internet in China, drawing attention for their unusual appearance and premium cost.

Varieties such as "black pearl" and "black beauty" are listed on e-commerce platforms, with prices ranging from 170 yuan to over 600 yuan per kilogram, and in some cases, priced by the piece.

The special varieties mainly come from Xindian township, Luohe city, central China's Henan Province, where strawberries have been cultivated for more than 30 years.

Despite their names, the so-called "black strawberries" are not truly jet black.

The "black pearl" strawberries, for instance, ripen to a deep reddish-black hue, with a sugar-glazed sheen. The fresh fruit is notably heavy, with a single berry weighing up to 25 grams.

The "black strawberries" taste sweeter than regular strawberries, according to local growers, who noted that their sugar content can exceed 15 degrees Brix.

Nutritionally, the fruit is rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that also contribute to the deep, dark color of the strawberries, according to experts.

Experts and growers attribute the high prices of the "black strawberries" to three main factors, namely demanding growth conditions, limited supply, and high cultivation costs due to meticulous flower and fruit thinning.

The "black strawberries" are highly sensitive to temperature and humidity, requiring temperatures to be kept within a 1-degree Celsius range.

In an effort to monitor the relevant factors using their smartphones in real time, farmers in Xindian township have upgraded 19 strawberry smart greenhouses since 2024.

In addition, organic biofertilizers are added to ensure greener, more sustainable cultivation. These advanced methods result in costs roughly three times higher than conventional strawberries.

Xindian township boasts a total strawberry planting area of 350 mu (about 23.33 hectares), but "black strawberries" occupy just over 20 mu, totaling 90,000 plants.

In other regions, such as southwest China's Yunnan Province and northeast China's Liaoning Province, the "black strawberries" are only being planted on a trial basis.

In order to ensure premium quality, farmers meticulously thin flowers and fruits on each "black strawberry" plant, leaving just four to five berries instead of the 10 or more typical of regular varieties.

Photo shows a smart greenhouse for a type of dark-colored strawberries, referred to as "black strawberries," in Xindian township, Luohe city, central China's Henan Province. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Photo shows a type of dark-colored strawberries, referred to as "black strawberries," from Xindian township, Luohe city, central China's Henan Province. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Photo shows a type of dark-colored strawberries, referred to as "black strawberries," from Xindian township, Luohe city, central China's Henan Province. (Photo/People's Daily Online)