How Taiwanese Growers Started Fujian’s Coffee Industry

In 2006, a Taiwanese businessman planted something unexpected in Fujian’s Nanjing County: coffee. Not tea, not fruit—but coffee. Specifically, Arabica seedlings transplanted from Taiwan’s Gukeng Township in Yunlin County. The aim? To see if high-quality coffee could grow in mainland China’s southeast. What happened next changed a rural corner of Fujian forever.

Yes—Arabica coffee from Taiwan took root in Fujian, with early results matching the quality of Gukeng’s famed beans. By 2008, backed by tourism growth from the newly UNESCO-listed Fujian Tulou, a local coffee tourism and farming operation was born. Today, the Nankeng Coffee Scenic Area draws 600 visitors daily and earns ¥800,000 annually just from coffee bean sales alone.

The Taiwanese Entrepreneur Who Planted Fujian’s First Coffee Farm

Huang Wenguang, a businessman from Taiwan’s Yunlin County, saw potential in Fujian’s mountainous Nankeng Town. In 2006, he transplanted Arabica seedlings from his home region of Gukeng—known for its own quality coffee—and tested them in Nankeng. To his surprise, the beans grown in Fujian matched the quality of those from Gukeng. When Fujian Tulou was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008, tourism surged, and Huang spotted an opportunity: a coffee-themed leisure destination nestled among the famed earthen buildings.

From Trial Plots to a 100-Acre Coffee Tourist Zone

By the end of 2008, Huang had secured local government support and invested $5 million USD to establish the Zhangzhou Tiannong (Nankeng) Coffee Demonstration Base. This became Fujian’s first 100-acre coffee scenic area and the province’s first official coffee planting demonstration zone. Under his initiative, 300 acres of coffee were planted by local farmers, and the “Nankeng Coffee” trademark was officially registered.

Coffee, Crops and Community: How Local Farmers Got Involved

The coffee plants take over three years to yield, so Huang offered free seedlings to locals—only deducting the cost once the farmers began selling their beans. One such farmer, Zhang Rencai, switched from bananas (a crop that failed him in 2009) to coffee. With over an acre of thriving coffee trees, he expects his first harvest soon. Both the local government and Huang organise ongoing training in coffee farming techniques for these new growers.

Ties to Taiwan’s Coffee Heartlands—and a Bigger Plan

Huang facilitated partnerships between Nankeng and Taiwan’s own coffee-growing regions, including Gukeng and Dongshan. In 2009, Nankeng signed an agricultural cooperation agreement with Yunlin’s Gukeng Township to import premium coffee varieties and cultivation methods. Later, ties were extended to Tainan’s Dongshan District for deeper collaboration. Today, the Nankeng coffee initiative is part of the broader Cross-Strait (Fujian Nankeng) Modern Agriculture Cooperation Park development plan.

What’s Growing at the Nankeng Coffee Scenic Area?

The Nankeng Coffee Scenic Area now welcomes 600 visitors per day, drawn by the chance to explore coffee fields, processing facilities, and learn about coffee culture. Currently, the farm is nurturing 500,000 coffee seedlings set to be distributed to local farmers in the coming year. The site includes a coffee culture exhibition hall and processing plant, immersing visitors in both the industry and craft behind the beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who introduced coffee to Fujian’s Nankeng area?

Taiwanese businessman Huang Wenguang introduced Arabica coffee to Nankeng in 2006 by transplanting seedlings from Gukeng Township in Taiwan’s Yunlin County. He discovered the local conditions could produce coffee on par with Gukeng’s.

When did the Nankeng coffee tourism project start?

The formal coffee tourism and farming project began in late 2008, after Huang received local government support. It followed the 2008 UNESCO listing of Fujian Tulou, which boosted regional tourism and inspired the creation of a coffee-themed attraction.

How much coffee does the Nankeng scenic area produce?

While exact production volumes aren’t specified, the scenic area earns ¥800,000 yearly from coffee bean sales alone and serves 600 visitors daily. There are also 300 acres of coffee cultivated by local farmers, with another 500,000 seedlings being prepared for distribution.

Did the local farmers get any help to start growing coffee?

Yes. Huang Wenguang offered free coffee seedlings to farmers, with the cost deducted only after their first coffee sales. Ongoing training in coffee farming techniques has been provided by both the local government and Huang.

What coffee regions in Taiwan are working with Nankeng?

Nankeng has partnered with Taiwan’s Gukeng Township (Yunlin) and Dongshan District (Tainan). Agreements have been signed to share coffee cultivars and farming methods. These links are part of a broader Cross-Strait agricultural cooperation framework.

How many coffee seedlings are being readied for local farmers?

The farm is currently cultivating 500,000 coffee seedlings, scheduled for distribution to local farmers in the following year to expand local production.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Yunnan Coffee

To explore the world of Chinese-grown coffee similar in scale and spirit to Fujian’s emerging Nankeng farms, try FrontStreet’s Yunnan Arabica—a washed-process coffee with gentle nuttiness, mild acidity, and notes of chocolate and plum. For something more classic, their 2013 Typica offers balanced sweetness with deep berry, caramel, and dried apricot notes, all from heritage trees in Yunnan. Both are excellent introductions to China-grown specialty coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.