Cherry Valley has launched a new joint venture in China with Ecolove Food’s subsidiary to establish a grandparent stock duck breeding farm, aiming to strengthen its dominance in the white-feather duck sector. The move is part of a broader strategy to diversify into small-bodied meat ducks, as local players like Shuyang Zhongke gain traction with new breeds such as the Yiyang No.1. This signals a growing trend of innovation and localization in China’s duck breeding industry.
Cherry Valley, one of the world’s most recognised duck genetics companies, is expanding its footprint in China with a new joint venture aimed at bolstering the country’s grandparent (GP) stock capabilities. The collaboration with Shuyang Zhongke Poultry Co., Ltd.—a subsidiary of Ecolove Food—marks a significant milestone under the broader strategic agreement signed in October 2024.
The new entity, Zhucheng Ecolove Cherry Valley Poultry Co., is based in Shandong Province and will focus on producing 15,000 units of parent stock annually. Cherry Valley holds a 51% stake in the venture, with the remaining 49% owned by Shuyang Zhongke. The company is backed by a registered capital of CNY 30 million (approximately USD 4.12 million), with flexibility to scale output based on market conditions.
Cherry Valley’s Deepening Presence in China
Founded in Lincolnshire, UK in 1959, Cherry Valley has long been synonymous with high-performance duck genetics. Its acquisition by Beijing Capital Agribusiness & Food Group (BJCAG or Beijing Sunlon Group) in 2017 marked a symbolic return to the breed’s roots, as Cherry Valley ducks trace their lineage to Beijing origins. Today, the breed dominates China’s white-feather duck segment, accounting for 60% of production in that category. Given that white-feather ducks contribute around 80% of China’s total duck meat, Cherry Valley’s footprint translates into nearly half of the national duck meat supply.
Cherry Valley Breeding Technology Co., Ltd. is now 75% owned by BJCAG and 25% by the original UK entity. Its breeding infrastructure includes three wholly owned operations in China—Chifeng in Inner Mongolia, Nankou in Beijing, and Shandong Cherry Valley in Dezhou. The Nankou site notably focuses on genetic innovation, having developed proprietary strains such as “Nankou No.1” and the “Jingdian Beijing Duck”.
Beyond China, Cherry Valley maintains subsidiaries in both the UK and Germany, and operates a GP joint venture with Guangxi Guiliu Livestock Group in Zhoukou, Henan. That JV supports the company’s core genetic programme, underpinning its dominance in the market.
Over the years, Cherry Valley has built a dense JV network throughout China with key players such as Gaomi Liuhe (now part of China National Agricultural Development Group), Guiliu Group, and Shandong Hekangyuan—where influential poultry industry investor Lin Yinsun holds equity. Among these, Guiliu has become the company’s largest propagation base, while Liuhe’s parent firm has transitioned from New Hope Liuhe to China Animal Husbandry Group.
Evolving Landscape: Rise of the Small-bodied Duck
While Cherry Valley has traditionally focused on white-feathered, large-bodied ducks, its new partner brings a fresh dimension. Shuyang Zhongke Poultry has earned national acclaim as a core breeding site for waterfowl, recently achieving landmark recognition for its “Yiyang No.1” breed—a small-bodied meat duck developed jointly with Yangzhou University. Approved by the National Livestock Genetic Resources Committee in March 2024, it is only the second breed of its kind to gain official status in China.
Yiyang No.1
Yiyang No.1 is distinguished by its white plumage, black beak, and green legs—traits appreciated both for culinary appeal and processing adaptability. The breed combines strong stress resistance with efficient feed conversion, yielding a clean, flavourful carcass suited for traditional dishes such as salt-baked and braised duck. Its genetic profile maintains the robust taste of native ducks while significantly enhancing production efficiency.
This fits neatly into a broader market trend. China’s duck sector is witnessing a surge in demand for small-bodied meat ducks, echoing developments in the broiler market where “817-type” birds have gained traction for their processing advantages. With faster turnaround times and leaner meat, these smaller ducks are poised to reshape the product mix in Chinese retail and foodservice.
Recognising this momentum, Cherry Valley and Ecolove’s strategic plan includes the co-development of a new small-bodied white-feather duck. This would serve niche segments, including the roast duck and fast-processing markets—territory that neither Cherry Valley’s main lines nor the traditional Beijing duck currently occupy.
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