Xinjiang's 'red gold': How its tomatoes make their mark on the world

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is one of the world's three major processing tomato-growing regions, accounting for around 80 percent of China's processing tomato output. Long hours of sunshine, a bone-dry climate, and huge swings between day and night temperatures provide favorable conditions for growing processing tomatoes.

Modern and smart production methods are turning these natural advantages into industrial strengths. In 2025, Xinjiang's processing tomato industry achieved a mechanization rate of 99 percent, with mechanized planting and harvesting rates both exceeding 98.5 percent.

A key production hub is Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, one of Xinjiang's key processing tomato-producing areas. In August 2026, more than 130,000 mu (about 8,700 hectares) of processing tomatoes entered harvest season across Changji. Supported by smart planting and harvesting technologies and contract farming, the prefecture continues to strengthen an industrial chain covering cultivation, harvesting, and processing. Its daily raw tomato processing capacity has reached 45,000 tonnes.

From the fields of Changji to the global tomato supply chain, this vivid "Xinjiang red" is showing the world the vitality of modern agriculture.