Meteorological data helping Hengzhou’s jasmine production

Gan Li, head of the Hengzhou Meteorological Bureau, said the bureau has developed a rainstorm risk forecast specifically tailored for jasmine flowers.

"We combine observed rainfall from the previous day with current and next-day precipitation forecasts to assess risks to flower harvesting and pricing," Gan said.

Since 2025, local authorities have carried out 24 artificial rainfall enhancement operations to ease drought conditions and improve soil moisture for jasmine plantations, he said.

"We are integrating meteorological services into the digital jasmine platform in a more intelligent and precise way to strengthen support for the jasmine industry," Gan added.

Weather risks affect not only flower growers but also processors and downstream markets.

Wu Yuming, general manager of Xiangxiang Garden, a jasmine-scented products industrial park operated by Guangxi Zhineng Modern Agriculture, said rainy weather can lower flower quality and reduce output, pushing up procurement costs for raw materials.

"Freshness is critical for jasmine essential oil extraction, and high temperatures can sharply increase transportation losses," Wu said.

"Summer is the peak consumption season for jasmine products, but if continuous heavy rain causes shortages in raw materials, product prices will rise accordingly," he said, adding that companies now prepare raw material reserves and production schedules in advance based on weather forecasts.