In the deep mountains of Fangcheng District, Guangxi, century-old star anise trees thrive lushly. With an annual temperature of 22°C and 1,800 millimeters of rainfall, the region nurtures high-quality star anise with volatile oil content exceeding 8%. By 2025, global star anise production is expected to reach approximately 60,000 tons, with China accounting for 35,000 tons—85% of the total. Guangxi alone contributes over 60% of China's production. This large-scale production capacity is unmatched—Vietnam, despite cultivation efforts, produces less than 1,000 tons annually and must import to make up the shortfall; India, after years of trial planting, has abandoned domestic cultivation due to unsuitable climate conditions and now relies entirely on imports.
The "GB/T7652-2016" standard, implemented in 2016, categorizes star anise powder into three grades, with the top grade requiring a completeness of ≥95% and volatile oil content ≥8.0%, far exceeding the EU standard of "volatile oil ≥6%." At the Yulin International Spice Testing Center, mass spectrometers can distinguish authenticity in just 10 seconds, effectively preventing the adulteration of toxic star anise powder. These stringent standards have earned market trust: EU-certified organic star anise powder commands a 40% premium, with export prices rising from $12,000/ton to $16,500/ton. Vietnamese trader Nguyen Van Hai admitted, "Chinese star anise powder has lasting fragrance, and we only use Guangxi products for processing rice noodle seasonings."
In the extraction workshop of Yulin Fuda Logistics Port, supercritical technology transforms star anise powder into star anise oil priced at $82 per kilogram, achieving a 40% premium over traditional methods. The facility houses two-thirds of the world's spices, with comprehensive bonded warehouses and cold chain logistics, enabling "direct delivery from production site to dining table." From raw dried fruits to pharmaceutical-grade shikimic acid and cosmetic essential oils, deep processing multiplies the added value of star anise powder. In 2025, cross-border e-commerce exports grew by 37% year-on-year, with live-streaming platforms bringing Fangcheng star anise powder directly to European and American households through "short videos + traceability.".
Guangxi has introduced specialized policies, including the establishment of industrial funds and credit support, to promote large-scale planting under the "Party organization + cooperative + base" model. Bag-controlled slow-release fertilizer technology has enabled yields to exceed 2,000 kilograms per mu while reducing costs by 33%. The Dongzhong Port has launched a dedicated spice export line, shipping 6,339 tons of ground star anise to overseas markets in the first half of 2025, with customs clearance efficiency improved by 50%. From merchant ships on the Maritime Silk Road to today's China-Europe freight trains, Chinese ground star anise has been exported to over 80 countries. It is indispensable in Southeast Asian cuisine, European and American baking, and the Middle Eastern spice markets.
Under the setting sun, the ground star anise drying yard in Fangchenggang sparkles with a reddish glow. This "red star" carrying a 900-year cultivation history is writing China's competitive edge in global trade, rooted in resources, structured by standards, and pulsating with industry. When the familiar aroma wafts from French anise wine and Vietnamese pho, we witness not only the cross-border journey of spices but also the confident strides of Chinese agriculture toward the world stage.
Post time: Oct-31-2025
