Ecommerce platform boosts rose flower industry in Jinan

Sun Licheng, Party secretary of Jinan, promotes Pingyin rose cakes on Douyin, a livestreaming platform, on April 27. [Photo/news.e23.cn]

The daily sales volume of Pingyin rose flower cakes increased from 600 to 5,000 in recent days thanks to online promotion.

Zhao Yanhong, deputy manager of Jinan Zijin Rose Company said e-commerce has become an important way to promote local products made from rose flowers.

Pingyin, a county-level city in Jinan, Shandong province, is considered the home of Chinese roses owing to its unique geographical and geological conditions. Rose cultivation in the area can be traced back over 1,300 years.

Due to the epidemic, the city’s annual festival will be held online with support from Alibaba Group. Several high-quality products made from rose flowers will be sold.

Jinan Party Secretary Sun Licheng also promoted Pingyin rose flower cakes on Douyin, a leading Chinese livestreaming platform, on April 27, to introduce people about Pingyin products.

Rose planting is becoming a major industry in Pingyin county. “The price of rose buds is about eight yuan ($1.12) per kilogram, and after deep processing, the value will increase several times,” a local officer said.

In addition to rose cakes, essential oil, hydrosol and tea also increased the added value of roses. Pingyin county has formed a complete industrial chain including planting, production, sales, and processing.

E-commerce platforms provide an innovative way for locals to expand sales channels, further promote local roses, and boost local cultural and tourism industries.