8. Chestnut

Chestnuts are a cash crop and conditions in Dandong are favorable to growing them. Dandong’s chestnut output accounts for more than 90 percent of the province’s total. Dandong chestnuts, from the Castanea crenata, suit the taste of Japanese and supply 30 percent of the Japanese market.

The amount of land planted in chestnuts is 1.15 million mu (76,666 hectares), producing 20,000 tons annually, with a value of 150 million yuan. There are 38 towns around Dandong with chestnut trees on more than 10,000 mu (666.67 hectares) and chestnuts are a pillar industry of farmers living in mountainous areas.

Dandong tries to introduce fine varieties, and strongly supports processors and the exploration of foreign markets. Its 11 storage and processing companies export more than 5,000 tons of chestnuts a year.