Visitors taste roasted nuts during an expo in Tianjin.[Photo/China Daily]

Wangkou, a town in North China's Tianjin with a rich history as a major producer of roasted nuts, is poised to extend its global footprint even further.

Wangkou's annual export value of roasted nuts reached 1.3 billion yuan ($181.1 million) in 2023, and this is expected to grow further this year, the town's deputy head Liu Wentao said.

Wangkou is upgrading its industrial infrastructure in a bid to expand its overseas market presence, with digital-led initiatives also helping the roasted nuts industry generate 6 billion yuan in revenue last year.

Wangkou sells its produce to 12 countries and regions including Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa.

The town, located in the city's Jinghai district, boasts a rich heritage tracing back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and produces roasted nuts across 30 categories, including almonds, pistachios and sunflower seeds.

With a thriving roasted food industry encompassing 8,000 employees and over 300 enterprises presently, Wangkou has emerged as a pivotal player in the sector.

Ma Lanbo, president of the Tianjin Nuts Industry Association, attributed Wangkou's growing exports to the convenient packaging of its products and the use of high-quality raw materials, which have found favor among international buyers.

Benefiting from its location within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei city cluster, Wangkou's ambitious global expansion plan received a significant boost with the establishment of its largest export warehouse spanning 4,500 square meters in Jinghai in May.

The facility is a result of cooperation between e-commerce giant Ali-Express and logistics giant Cainiao.

The roasted nut production hub is also eyeing to further improve product quality.

Zhang Haidong, vice-director of the Jinghai commerce bureau, said its ongoing industrial upgrade and the adoption of intelligent equipment will play a crucial role.

Companies in Wangkou are taking steps in line with efforts nationwide to promote equipment upgrades, and enhance their operational efficiency.

Upgrading equipment and innovation will help reduce packaging costs and further improve product quality, said Yue Youchao, vice-general manager of Yuecheng Food, the town's largest roasted nut producer, referring to consumers' evolving taste in roasted nut products.

"Through more standardized practices, improved logistics and upgraded equipment, Wangkou will see a more promising trajectory in its roasted nut businesses," Yue said.