The Yantai apple gained national geographic indication protection in 2002, and registered its trademark. In 2013, the brand value of the Yantai apple reached 9.41 billion yuan ($1.52 billion), ranking second in all Chinese agricultural product brands. It has been recognized as the top brand in the Chinese fruit industry for five consecutive years.

One official from the Yantai municipal bureau of agriculture said that since the 1980s, Yantai has made great improvements in apple selective breeding and orchard management, along with the introduction of Red Fuji, an internationally popular variety at that time, which contributed to the competitive advantages and the industrial status for the apple industry in Yantai and China.

Yantai has set up three state-level professional research institutions, namely the Apple Breeding Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Fruits and Nursery Stock Quality Inspection Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Yantai Comprehensive Test Station of the National Apple Industry Technology System. They provide strong support for breeding new high-quality varieties and upgrading current apple varieties, and Yantai has taken the lead in fruit and seedling breeding.

The apple trees are heavy with fruit. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fruit growers pose with their apples on a cargo tricycle. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A photographer captures the fruit-bearing apple trees. [Photo/xianjingyantaishe]