The largest hazelnut deep processing enterprise in China recently began operating in Tonghe county, Harbin, Heilongjiang province.

Heilongjiang Yipin Biotechnology Development’s production plant, covering an area of 9,700 square meters, is located in the Tonghe Economic Development Zone. The project has received 150 million yuan in investment.

The plant is expected to be able to process 8,000 tons of hazelnuts per year, producing a series of products such as hazelnut cooking oil, hazelnut essential oil for skin care, and hazelnut snacks.

“Although the annual output of hazelnuts in Tonghe does not currently meet the full processing capacity of the plant, the outlook is promising,” said Tian Tian, chairman of Heilongjiang Yipin Biotechnology Development.

Tonghe plans to become a hazelnut planting center, a deep processing center, a product research and development center, and a breeding and trading center for seedlings.

The plantation area for hazelnut trees in Tonghe rose from 20,000 mu in 2016 to 200,000 mu in 2019, increasing nine-fold over a three-year period.

In five years, all newly-planted hazelnut trees will begin producing fruit. The annual hazelnut output of Tonghe is expected to reach 10,000 tons.

Additional facilities for hazelnut processing and trade are currently being built in Tonghe.

Interior of the production plant of the largest hazelnut deep processing enterprise in China. [Photo/MY399.COM]