Zhangye baby cabbage boosts Gansu brand

Harvesters gather baby cabbage in the fields in Zhangye. [Photo provided to gozhangye.com]

At the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains in the Hexi Corridor, Zhangye baby cabbage is emerging as a flagship product of the Ganwei brand.

With China's first carbon label for baby cabbage and status as a supply product for the Two Sessions, it is penetrating high-end markets domestically and abroad through its green quality.

The region's ideal conditions — abundant sunshine, significant temperature variations, and mineral-rich glacier water — contribute to the vegetable's crisp texture. Soil testing confirms low heavy metal content, supporting green production.

This premium vegetable shows higher compactness and better nutritional content than similar products, including elevated vitamin C and potassium. It was included in Gansu's regional public brand list in 2020.

Local companies employ sustainable practices, using organic fertilizers and green electricity. With traceable low carbon emissions, the cabbage has been able to reach markets such as Hong Kong and Macao.

Ganzhou district of Zhangye has developed 36,000 mu (2,400 hectares) of standardized planting bases. In Mazhan village, organic cabbage now generates 35,000 yuan ($4943.02) per mu, significantly increasing local incomes.

The city now operates 20 vegetable supply bases for Hong Kong. It will continue improving techniques to further develop its high-quality baby cabbage brand.