We’ve just returned from an insightful visit to China, and we’re thrilled to begin with some truly exciting news.
Our Factory has achieved BRC Grade A! 🥳🎉
Through continuous improvement and dedication to the Kaizen philosophy, our factory has officially achieved BRC Grade A certification, a milestone we are incredibly proud of.
To be candid, we weren’t sure if improving on our previous B+ rating was possible. Our facility was originally an old wine factory built in the 1980s, and much of the surrounding infrastructure has naturally aged. In China, it is only 10% of facilities that reach Grade A and most are typically built post-2004.
But thanks to years of investment and relentless refinement, our factory has undergone a remarkable transformation. Recent upgrades include:
- Newly asphalted factory courtyard
- New doors throughout the drying workshops
- Stainless-steel walls installed across our infusing rooms
- Improved insulation for our infusing tanks
- A newly upgraded anti-pollution boiler filtration system that captures dirty particles in water
This certification is a testament to the team’s hard work and commitment to world-class standards.
During our visit, Qingdao welcomed us with bright, warm weather at around 17°C. After a full month of rain, the skies had cleared just a week before we arrived. The leaves remained lush and green, and the famous purple grape season in the Dingdu district had just finished.
One of the most striking sights was maize drying everywhere – along roadsides, in courtyards, and in any open space available. Some maize was laid out whole; others were spread loose across the concrete. All of this will be used for animal feed.
This year, every cob was hand-harvested, as the fields were too muddy for machinery. I was told this hasn’t happened in 20 years. The maize crop has been disastrous across many northern provinces, with rural communities facing significant hardship after an extremely hot summer.
We planted a new Japanese strawberry variety in our polytunnels, destined for the fresh market. These berries are expected to be firmer and fuller than our last variety. The baby plant runners were kept chilled and then planted at roughly 5 cm spacing. Across China, strawberry acreage may shrink this season due to limited availability of high-quality baby plants. In our organic fields, we’ve also switched to a new variety. Our previous variety was yielding very well (the past two seasons have been excellent) but tended to be a little too soft.
The extended heat that challenged other crops was a blessing for tropicals.
Passionfruit prices in the field have dropped to the lowest levels seen in years.
Our mango quality this season has been excellent. We maintain dedicated mango storage during peak season, enabling us to process fruit at optimal ripeness for consistent colour and flavour.
We work with the Tainong variety, known for early maturity, vibrant colour, rich aroma, and outstanding taste. One of our favourite products to make is whole small mangoes frozen on a popsicle stick. Thanks to their naturally high brix, they create a smooth, ice-cream-like eating experience.
China’s total apple yield looks fairly strong this season due to minimal frost. However, the recent month-long rains have prevented some apples from reddening, and we anticipate that mould may become a challenge. As a result:
A-grade apple yields will likely decrease
Production-grade apples will be more plentiful and available at better prices
That’s it for now, thank you for reading. Our trip was filled with valuable insights, productive discussions, and renewed confidence in the progress we’re making from factory improvements to crop planning. Achieving BRC Grade A is just the beginning, and we’re excited for the year ahead.
I’ll next share insights from visits to organic apple production areas, raspberry farms, and our resulting conversations with local grower collectives.
Thanks and best regards,
Ynyr