After the National Day holiday, 54-year-old Li Xiaoming found himself busy at a factory just outside Jilin City in Jilin Province, where the rice harvest was in full swing. Clad in work attire, he and his apprentices were engaged in a fascinating process known as “grafting” honey. This involves mixing preserved raw honey with fresh honey to create a product that boasts a white, glossy appearance and a smooth texture. The factory was alive with the sweet scent of fresh honey wafting through the air.
Li Xiaoming is the provincial-level inheritor of the Dongshan white honey production technique, a skill that boasts a rich history spanning over 200 years. With access to the abundant linden tree resources in the Changbai Mountain region, he has successfully trained over 1,000 farmers to become beekeepers, helping them turn their lives around with the “sweet taste” of honey.
“This traditional technique is extremely popular among consumers in Southeast Asia, and we frequently receive orders from overseas,” Li explained. He enthusiastically shared that a new batch of products was scheduled to ship by the end of the month. He emphasized the importance of high-quality products, noting that they yield higher profits for the beekeepers he works with.
“The bees, flowers, and linden trees coexist; our relationship with the beekeepers is just as harmonious,” Li revealed. His collaboration with the beekeepers began over a decade ago with the goal of boosting production incentives. Li and his team have traveled to numerous villages to discuss and enhance beekeeping methods while actively increasing the purchase prices for the honey produced. As soon as the first group of beekeepers started seeing lucrative profits, more and more farmers were inspired to join their ranks. The factory places regular production orders, processing honey only after successful lab inspections.
Li also noted, “The applications for bees are expanding; we’re helping beekeepers establish partnerships with orchards and organic rice farms.”
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in Chinese consumer behavior, with a growing focus on health and quality standards for honey. “In the past, older consumers formed our primary market, but with younger customers gaining more purchasing power, we’ve developed products tailored to their tastes,” he highlighted.
Beyond production, Li is dedicated to what he calls a “beekeeping promotion plan.” He has taught the Eastern white honey production techniques to more than ten apprentices, aiming to empower them to lead many more villagers towards prosperity. The factory has also established an intangible cultural heritage exhibition base, inviting visitors to engage with and learn about the beekeeping practices and honey production stories from the Changbai Mountain area.
As the autumn harvest unfolds in Jilin, Li is optimistic about the future, looking forward to welcoming more farmers to the factory to exchange beekeeping techniques and collaborate on expanding this thriving industry.
