Bayannur, Inner Mongolia, boosted sunflower exports 23% in 2025, driven by improved farming, faster customs, and processing growth.

In 2025, Bayannur, Inner Mongolia, exported nearly 395,000 tonnes of sunflower seeds—up 23% year-on-year—with export value reaching 4.55 billion yuan. The city, once hampered by saline-alkali soil, now grows over 4 million mu of sunflowers annually, accounting for half of China’s edible sunflower acreage. Advanced processing and digital customs reforms cut clearance time from three days to two hours, enabling exports to over 40 markets. The industry generated 20 billion yuan in output, supporting 120 processing firms and boosting rural incomes, becoming a model for China’s county-level economic development.