Why Linyi: logistics, venues and farm output behind the national trade fair

Linyi hosted the northern regional edition of the 2026 National Agricultural Products Production and Marketing Conference on Oct 22, bringing 1,260 suppliers and 1,670 buyers from 15 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps to the Linyi International Expo Center.

The conference is organized by the Ministry of Commerce to connect farm produce supply and demand across northern China and to widen sales channels for counties prioritized in the rural vitalization program.

Linyi's case rests on four factors. The first is connectivity: the Lunan high-speed railway crosses the city, six expressways circle it, and Linyi Qiyang International Airport serves more than 40 domestic and international destinations. The city has 136 specialized wholesale markets and over 3,000 freight routes reaching the rest of the country, with transport costs below the industry average.

The second is exhibition capacity. Linyi holds about 150 trade fairs and exhibitions a year, ranking among the highest of China's prefecture-level cities, and the Linyi International Expo Center and surrounding hotels, restaurants and medical services are built for large events.

The third is agricultural output. Linyi is known for duck, burdock, honeysuckle, ginkgo and cucumber, and supplies vegetables to the Yangtze River Delta year-round. In the first eight months of this year, the city's farm produce processing companies exceeded 2,500 in number and 250 billion yuan ($35.2 billion) in revenue.

The fourth is the city's profile: Linyi is the birthplace of the Yimeng Spirit and the home of calligrapher Wang Xizhi, and organizers said the city's reputation for hospitality supports business exchanges held alongside the fair.

The city set up an organizing committee with working groups for coordination, guest reception and security, and prepared service plans covering exhibition, negotiation and transport.

Editor：韩蒙蒙