13 Jan 2026

China revives heritage chicken into egg powerhouse

A once-endangered heritage chicken breed has become a major commercial egg producer in China’s Jiangxi Province.

Jess Ramanee

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China is turning a once-endangered heritage chicken into the foundation of a modern egg industry.

In Dongxiang district, Fuzhou city, Jiangxi Province, decades of conservation, selective breeding, and industrial innovation have transformed the Black-Feathered Green-Shelled Egg Chicken into a national success story. Its distinctive green-shelled eggs, now produced at scale and distributed nationwide, highlight how tradition and technology can combine to preserve cultural heritage while driving rural economic growth.

The eggs, produced by Jiangxi Donghua Livestock and Poultry Co Ltd, are now distributed nationwide. Automated production systems and rising consumer demand support the industry’s rapid expansion. supported by automated production systems and growing consumer demand. The eggs come from the Dongxiang Black-Feathered Green-Shelled Egg Chicken, a native breed recognized for its distinctive ‘six blacks and one green’ characteristics.

Strong demand

“These eggs are in strong demand because of their nutritional value and taste,” said Xu Jiansheng, General Manager of Jiangxi Donghua Livestock and Poultry. He explained that the breed’s unique characteristics have positioned the eggs as a premium product in domestic markets.

The breed nearly disappeared in the 1980s due to low productivity and breeding challenges. Local authorities responded with long-term conservation programs, establishing breeding farms, securing funding, and enforcing strict genetic protection standards.

As a result, the breed has recovered and is now included among China’s 64 national key specialty species joint research projects. The eggs have earned recognition, including the Gold Award at the China International Food Expo, National Geographical Indication Agricultural Products status, and designation as a China Well-Known Trademark.

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One country, one product brand

Beyond conservation, Dongxiang district adopted a ‘one county, one product’ strategy to commercialize the breed. Local enterprises partnered with institutions such as China Agricultural University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to improve genetics and develop value-added egg products, including folic acid-enriched eggs.

The industry now produces more than 700,000 eggs daily. In 2021, a high-tech poultry facility was introduced, significantly reducing labor requirements.

“Operations that previously required more than a dozen workers can now be managed by only a few,” said Chen Deguang, Production Manager, who added that automation has improved efficiency and consistency.

Expanding market access

To strengthen market access, Dongxiang district established a dedicated sales task force. The campaign uses e-commerce livestreaming, high-speed rail advertising, and retail placement in airports and supermarkets.

“Dongxiang Green-Shelled Eggs now reach consumers nationwide through multiple channels,” said Xin Bin, Office Director of the Dongxiang District Sales Task Force. He explained that the goal was to close the gap between production and consumption.

The industry has also created income opportunities for local farmers. Wang Dan, a farmer from Xiaogang town, earned nearly USD 9700 last year after returning home to raise the breed. She said guaranteed market access and technical support helped reduce production risks.

Across Dongxiang district, approximately 1.15 million chickens are currently being raised. Local authorities reported that total industry output exceeded USD 25 million in 2024.

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