Tracing system boosts orange industry development

By Chen Si.

What journey does a navel orange take from orchard to table? Zigui County has recently launched a digital service system based on the “Agricultural Product Tracing QR Code.” This system not only tracks the information of each navel orange but also enables more applications for businesses and regulators.

Local tax authorities are using the new system to monitor invoice collection, issuance, and deduction. Through intelligent data analysis, it can promptly send alerts of any potential risks to businesses.

The system creates a "credit profile" for businesses based on their compliance history. Companies with high scores are eligible for a "green channel" for tax services and may be recommended to join exhibitions.

Photo provided by Tan Yonghui

In addition, the system's "Orange Brain" data center enables more precise management of navel orange production areas, varieties, and capacity, all linked through a single QR code.

Eight leading enterprises in Zigui have already connected to the system, sharing their purchase and sales data. For example, Hubei Guoqu E-Commerce Co., Ltd. has entered the supply chains of East Buy, MIXUE Ice Cream & Tea, and other major retailers. Its sales have grown by 22 percent year-on-year, and its annual output value is expected to exceed 100 million yuan (US$14 million).

This system now links the entire value chain of navel orange production, trade, supervision, and services. At present, it covers 167 villages and more than 60 agricultural processing enterprises in Zigui.

Hu Xingjun, Zhou Lirong, and Li Xiwen contributed to this story.