In recent years, Guangdong Province has vigorously advanced the development of its modern marine ranching industry, actively cultivating the regional public brand Fresh from Guangdong. Backed by technological innovations in sectors like aquatic breeding and equipment manufacturing, the province has expanded both the breadth and depth of its industrial chain. In 2024, China’s prepared dish market exceeded 500 billion yuan, with aquatic prepared dishes growing at an annual rate of 25%.
The prepared dish sector is experiencing rapid expansion, with regions across China ramping up their investments. Zhanjiang, a major aquatic hub, has chosen to focus on aquatic enterprises as a breakthrough, encouraging the transformation from seafood processing to aquatic food manufacturing to compete in the trillion-yuan prepared dish market. The Mazhang Agricultural Cooperation and Exchange Pilot Zone is aligning with Zhanjiang’s strategy, aggressively promoting the overseas expansion of its distinctive agro-maritime products. Currently, Mazhang leads in China’s domestic market for flowers, lucky bamboo, and certain aquatic products, while its prepared dishes—such as golden pompano and seasoned crayfish—are gaining international acclaim.
On April 2, European exporters visited the Southern Sea Valley Marine Industry Incubation Center in Mazhang District, Zhanjiang, to explore Mazhang’s aquatic prepared dishes. Joint discussions with Guangdong Evergreen Group centered on international standards for aquatic prepared dishes, upgrading the tilapia industrial chain, and exploring the European market, aiming to boost exports of Mazhang’s aquatic prepared dishes to Europe.
Seizing opportunities from China’s national focus on marine economy development, Mazhang is accelerating the construction of a high-quality modern marine ranching industrial chain. With approximately 110,000 acres of coasta mudflat and abundant marine resources, the district boasts over 110 species of seafood, including sharks, groupers, pomfrets, prawns, and mud crabs. Beyond aquaculture, Mazhang is home to Guangdong Ocean University—a joint initiative by the provincial government and the State Oceanic Administration—providing robust technological and intellectual support for marine economic development. Backed by the district government’s strong support and leveraging its geographical and scientific advantages, Mazhang is advancing seafood processing and the prepared dish industry to drive high-quality marine economic growth.
Embarking on a new journey, Mazhang will fully utilize its natural resource endowments and aquatic industrial foundation, adhering to an integrated industrial, ecological, and digital development philosophy to forge a modern aquatic industry path characterized by high efficiency, product safety, resource conservation, and environmental friendliness. By prioritizing high-quality aquatic industry growth and capitalizing on the prepared dish boom, Mazhang aims to establish an international aquatic products hub, making prepared dishes a cornerstone of rural revitalization. The district is committed to expanding the global footprint of its agro-maritime products, contributing to Zhanjiang’s modern marine ranching efforts and Guangdong’s vision of building a blue granary. |
