The inaugural international mushroom industry innovation expo opened in Zibo, Shandong province on June 10, bringing together over a thousand experts, traders, and industry professionals to discuss the globalization of the edible mushroom industry.

The expo featured 134 companies showcasing a variety of mushroom products, machinery, and local agricultural specialties.

The first international mushroom industry innovation expo is in Zibo on June 10-12. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the three-day event, Shandong Qihe Biotechnology Co Ltd, who organized the expo, signed agreements with over 30 companies.

Qihe Biotech, which is based in Zibo's Zichuan district, is a national high-tech enterprise that specializes in the research, production, and export of edible mushrooms. With 20 subsidiaries around the world, Qihe Biotech has exported its products to over 60 countries, providing over 10 billion mushrooms to global consumers. It is recognized as a leading player in the globalization of the mushroom industry.

Qihe Biotech's production site in Seattle. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Now is the best time for the global development of the mushroom industry," said Liu Chuanwu, founder of Huahe international business consulting agency.

He emphasized that the Belt and Road Initiative has brought broader market prospects for Chinese edible mushrooms, and the research and development of mushroom strains and digitalized production by Qihe Biotech have laid a solid industrial foundation for the globalization of mushrooms.