Hunan Changde Freshwater Pearl

Pearl resources in Changde city, Hunan Province:

The pearl culture started in 1960s and it has become an important industry in rural economic growth in Changde and one of channels for farmers to increase their income.

Area.In Oct.2003,the culturing area in Changde is 300 thousand mu.
Output.In 2003,the output of pearls is 460 tons,double that of previous year.After the year 2004,the annual output of pearl in Changde can be 800-1000 tons.Either the area or the output in Changde occupies 95％ of Hunan province.The output accounts for 50％ of China,34％ of the world.

The industry pattern of large-scale culture,local distribution and base development around the lake area of western Dongting Lake has been formed.There are 70 thousand mu in Anxiang county,80 thousand mu in Dingcheng District and 60 thousand mu in Hanshou county.

Pearl culture level.The output of pearl for one-year is 8-10 grams,15 grams for two years,20 grams for three years.And the ratio for high class pearl is 8％,taking the first position in China.

Development potential:

Changde city is situated on the west of Dongting Lake with the water area of 4.685 million mu (epuivalent to 320 thousand ha.) including culture area of 600 thousand mu (equivalent to 40 thousand ha.)

Pearl industry can be industrialized with less investment and quick return.Pearl industry has been focused by utilizing the local resource and talents by the provincial government.In 2003,3 great advantageous industry belts with the pearl industry as the leading one have been appointed around Dongting Lake area by the CPC Hunan Commissionand the Provincial Government.

Pearl industry has become one of the five mainstay industries by CPC Changde Commission and the City Government.

Changde has strong technical force in freshwater pearl.There are 20 technicians in pearl processing,100 engineers in aquatic products and 18 thousand households in pearl culture.Mr.He Naihua,president of the World Pearl Association,Mr.Xie Shaohe,professor of Zhanjiang Ocean University,have close relations with Changde city.

Freshwater pearl industrialization system integrating culture,processing,marketing and export shall be established to further the position of pearl industry in China and even in the world on the basis of the project.

Advantageous conditions:

The rapid growth of pearl culture has made Changde an important freshwater culture base.But the large-scale processing of pearl is not started and the market for pearl at home and abroad is not open.

The fine and deep processing of freshwater pearl and the development of pearl cosmetics can prolong the pearl induistry chain,effectively consume raw pearls,change the status of the difficult selling of pearls in Changde and ensure the healthy development of pearl industry,which can enjoy the support of the local government.The demand space for freshwater pearl products is very large.The output of seawater nuclear pearl in the world is 40 tons and of freshwater pearl is 2000 tons and the total sales income of peals in the world is 5 billion USD.

Presently,the demand for pearls at home and abroad is not saturated,esp.in Africa and south America market.Many jewelers abroad are using the freshwater pearls in Changde.In terms of the income distribution from freshwater pearl,its culture accounts for 30％,its sale 30％,its processing 40％.Its sale,processing and export can getlarge profit.

After the production line is completed,the farmers can directly sell pearls to the processing enterprise.Or enterprise and farmers can be combined to be an integration of production,processing and selling with the pattern of company plus base plus farmers,to expand the benefit space and to realize the “double win”.