"Volcano Island" bananas from Weizhou Island

"Volcano Island" bananas from Weizhou Island

　　Weizhou Island is located 21 nautical miles due south of Beihai City, covering a total area of 24.74 square kilometers. It is China's largest and youngest volcanic island, as well as the largest island in Guangxi. The island enjoys mild summers and winters, with an average annual temperature of 23°C and annual rainfall of 1,863 millimeters. Surrounded by vast blue waters and covered in lush greenery, the island boasts a pleasant climate and breathtaking scenery, making it a paradise on earth and a fabled island like Penglai.

　　 The "Volcano Island" bananas are irrigated with mineral-rich volcanic island water, which contains abundant natural minerals and essential trace elements vital for banana growth—this is one of the key factors contributing to the high quality of the bananas. The "Volcano Island" brand bananas are grown from premium varieties, benefitting from the island’s unique climatic and soil conditions, scientific cultivation and management techniques, its deep-sea island location surrounded by ocean, and a pollution-free green environment. All of these make them a rare and treasured fruit both in China and abroad.

　　 The "Volcano Island" bananas yield an average of 28.5 kg per plant, with uniformly shaped and neatly arranged fruits. The fingers are compact, measuring 22.0 cm in length, and contain 21% soluble solids. About 90% of the produce is classified as first-grade. The cultivation process saves 41% water, 23% fertilizer, and 42% labor. The product is mainly sold to high-end domestic markets and exported internationally. It has become popular in large supermarkets in cities such as Nanning, Changsha, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Shanghai, with some also being exported to Japan. Over the next two years, Weizhou Island plans to develop 3,500 acres of banana plantations using advanced techniques from this project, with projected output value exceeding 23.5 million yuan.

　　 Weizhou Island in Beihai, Guangxi, lies 21 nautical miles from downtown Beihai. It was formed by volcanic eruptions and is the largest island in the Beibu Gulf, covering an area of 26.88 square kilometers. Its last eruption occurred approximately 7,000 to 10,000 years ago. The island is rich in bananas, jackfruit, carambola, and other produce. The "Volcano Island" brand bananas are widely renowned and highly favored.

　　Chinese fruit experts say: "China's largest volcanic island—Weizhou Island—has ecological conditions such as light, heat, water, and temperature that are highly suitable for banana cultivation. The island’s unique volcanic ash potassium-rich soil produces bananas with bright color and an exceptionally sweet and delicious taste."

　　On October 6, 2004, Nobel laureate Yang Zhenning visited Weizhou Island and enthusiastically toured the planting base of the "Volcano Island" brand bananas.