Cactus pears are a specialty of Anshun, Southwest China's Guizhou province. Since 2011, the Anshun government has recognized cactus pear planting as a major agriculture industry in Anshun.

Cactus pears are a specialty of Anshun, Southwest China's Guizhou province.[Photo/gzgov.gov.cn]

According to official statistics, the cactus pear planting area has reached 9,933 hectares, worth an output value of $488.7 million.

The Anshun government has brought up innovative methods, especially marketing methods, to develop cactus pear planting and its surrounding products, including brand building, brand marketing, brand protection and integrated marketing.

"We have developed an innovative product, cactus pear juice, and currently it sells very well in the market, at 5-6 yuan ($0.81-0.98) per bottle. The product has much more added value than the simply selling the fruit," said Feng Fei, director of Yixing Food Co.