The National Apple Industry High-Quality Development Technology Forum and Apple Bag-free and Labor-saving Cultivation Technology Seminar and Training Conference was held in Tai'an, Shandong on December 28-30, 2020. More than 200 representatives from all over the country participated. This conference was co-sponsored by the National Modern Apple Industry Technology System, China Apple Industry Association, Apple Branch of China Horticultural Society, Shandong Institute of Fruit Trees, Shandong Horticultural Society and other units.

At the meeting, national apple industry experts Huo Xuexi, Han Zhenhai, Ma Fengwang, Jiang Yuanmao, Guo Yurong, Wang Jinzheng, etc. respectively gave reports on the status, and development direction of China’s apple industry. The representatives also made presentations on the situation of their respective companies.

In order to promote the bagging-free technology of China’s apple industry, the conference specially invited representatives of the orchards who specialize in producing unbagged apples in recent years. Unbagging apples can save a lot of labor, low production cost, environmental protection, and also the apples taste better. The selling price is high, which is very popular among consumers; but it also faces the constraints of many factors such as the uncertainty of the overall market demand. This meeting advocated that farmers, distributors, wholesalers and consumers work together to promote the cultivation and production of bag-free apples. At the meeting, the experts conducted a sensory evaluation of 39 bag-free apple varieties from different producing areas across the country. Finally, 15 gold medals, 14 silver medals and 10 excellence awards were selected and certificates were presented.