The 2026 National Agricultural Products Production and Marketing Conference (Northern Region) opens on Thursday in Linyi, Shandong province. [Photo by An Xianglin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Agricultural Products Production and Marketing Conference (Northern Region) opened on Thursday in Linyi, Shandong province, bringing producers and buyers together under a theme that calls for closer ties between farming and commerce to drive rural vitalization.

Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, the four-day event showcases premium agricultural products from 15 provincial-level regions in northern China, aiming to match supply with demand more precisely and keep the entire chain from farm to market running smoothly.

Shandong, the host province, ranks first in the country in the total output value of its agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery sectors. Its agricultural exports have led the nation for 27 consecutive years, reaching more than 200 countries and regions.

The conference features three main exhibition halls, including one for eco-friendly agricultural enterprises. Products on display span a wide range of categories, such as grains and oils, fruits and vegetables, livestock and poultry, and agricultural machinery.

An exhibition stall at the 2026 National Agricultural Products Production and Marketing Conference (Northern Region) on Thursday in Linyi, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The supply and marketing cooperative system has set up a special supply and marketing area of about 600 square meters. It brings together more than 560 products in over 20 categories, such as time-honored brands, local specialties, fresh produce, meat products, and foods recognized as intangible cultural heritage.

The conference has drawn more than 1,200 suppliers and over 1,500 buyers, including many from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership countries.

More than 20 side events are scheduled, covering premium product promotion and matchmaking, integrated domestic and foreign trade, and the use of artificial intelligence to upgrade agricultural wholesale markets.

A signing ceremony was held during the opening, with 18 cooperation projects inked on site, covering categories such as fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry, grains and oils, beverages, and condiments.

An Xianglin contributed to the story.