In spring, greenhouses in Kashi are filled with colorful peppers that look attractive and grow in full shapes. After workers pick, sort, and pack them, the peppers are sent by cold chain trucks to Central Asian countries, Russia, and other places. According to the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Kashi Prefecture, the region exported a total of 161 tons of colorful peppers in the first quarter of this year, marking a good start for vegetable exports.

On April 6, 2026, at the Shenka Modern Agriculture Industrial Park in Kashi City, colorful peppers hung heavy on the branches inside smart greenhouses, and workers were busy picking and sorting them. "This 64-ton batch of colorful peppers has just been loaded onto the truck. It will take four to six days to reach Almaty, Kazakhstan. This is the largest order sent to Central Asia this year," said Wang Mingkun, general manager of the cooperative. The park uses an "order plus base" model, under which the colorful peppers are managed according to standardized procedures throughout the growing process. Their quality meets international standards, which makes them popular among overseas buyers.

Photo shows workers busy picking colorful peppers at the Shenka Modern Agriculture Industrial Park in Kashi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Media Convergence Center of Kashi Prefecture/ Chen Wenjun)

At the same time, 85 greenhouses at the Bachu County Modern Agriculture Industrial Park have also seen a good harvest. "Our colorful peppers have thick skins that resist damage during storage and transport. Also, thanks to Kashi's abundant sunlight and large temperature difference between day and night, the peppers have a sugar content one to two degrees higher. They are in high demand in the Russian market," said Wang Desheng, head of the enterprise. By the end of March, the park has exported 80 tons of colorful peppers and plans to export 500 tons for the whole year. This has provided jobs for more than 40 local people, each earning an average of 2,400 yuan more per month.

The success of exporting colorful peppers is due to Kashi's unique geographical advantages and rich resources, as well as its deep involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative. In recent years, Kashi Prefecture has promoted a model that combines "industrial park, base, enterprise, and cooperative." It has set up registered bases for vegetable exports, introduced technologies like intelligent temperature control and integrated water and fertilizer, selected high-value-added varieties, and achieved both "good planting" and "good selling."

File photo shows colorful peppers at the Bachu County Modern Agriculture Industrial Park, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Taking advantage of the policies in the Kashi Area of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Kashi Prefecture has worked with customs to open a "green channel" for agricultural product exports. This has cut the clearance time for fresh produce by 50 percent. In addition, the region has improved cold chain logistics, built cross-border e-commerce platforms, and helped products from Kashi reach overseas markets directly.

Photo shows colorful peppers from Kashi City on truck for export to Kazakhstan. (Photo by Media Convergence Center of Kashi City/ Ma Lina)

An official from Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Kashi Prefecture said that the region will continue to expand its network of standardized export bases, deepen the use of smart planting technologies, strengthen the system that links agriculture with farmers, broaden export channels, and develop special varieties suited to the international market. This will allow products from Kashi to keep a strong presence in foreign markets and serve as a key driver for revitalizing border areas and boosting rural revitalization.

(Media Convergence Center of Kashi Prefecture, Reporters: Chen Wenjun and Askar)