Pietro Industries of Kennett Square will soon have a strong foothold in the mushroom market in China, thanks in part to Chester County’s “sister city” relationship with Funan County near Shanghai, writes Yang Shilong for New China.

Chris Alonzo, president of Pietro Industries, is opening a mushroom-growing facility in east China’s Anhui Province in partnership with a Chinese businessman. The state-of-the-art facility should start to produce 17 tons of mushrooms per day later this year.

“This is a project that’s probably the furthest along in terms of our relationship with sister cities,” said Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner.

For the partnership, Alonzo will share his expertise on how to build the mushroom operation with the Chinese side. Meanwhile, Alonzo will profit financially, and after trying out new technology, he can bring it back to his own facility and other Chester County farmers.

Farrell, a longtime proponent of expanding two-way cooperation with Chinese partners, said the project is a win-win for both counties.

“It’s sort of like a real-life laboratory,” he said.

Read more about the project from New China here.

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