The harvest season of Changshan's grapefruits begins. [Photo/Tide News]

Changshan county in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, has signed international cooperation agreements covering the purchase of 13,000 metric tons of grapefruit and orders totaling 210 million yuan ($29.22 million), according to Tide News on Nov 10.

"This year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the United Arab Emirates. I see great potential in the Changshan's grapefruit industry, and the value of this industry value chain can be further enhanced through our deepened cooperation," said Abdulrahman Ali Ahmed, vice-chairman and chief executive officer of Amina Shuangwan International Investment Co.

The cooperation between Changshan and Amina Shuangwan International Investment Co is set from 2025 to 2027, with the current trade export agreement valued at 90 million yuan.

In addition to the UAE partnership, Five Goods Inc based in the United States has also signed its first export trade cooperation agreement with Changshan for grapefruits and other agricultural products, with a three-year export value reaching 60 million yuan.

As early as 2012, Changshan had over 4 square kilometers of registered export facilities for grapefruit, which was being exported to more than 10 countries and regions, including the European Union, Canada, Thailand, and Russia, with an annual export volume exceeding 10,000 tons.