The cultivation area and output of vegetables in China respectively account for 43% and 49% of world totals, both ranking first in the world. This is according to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). China's vegetable cultivation area reached 260 million mu (about 17.33 million hectares) in 2007, with a total output of 565 million tons, which is over 420 kilograms per capita.

After joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), China's vegetable exports have grown rapidly. According to statistics from China Customs, China exported 8.1759 million tons of vegetables in 2007, 1.55 times the amount in 2000. Growing vegetables has already become the pillar industry increasing farmers' incomes. In 2007, the vegetable output contributed over 650 yuan to Chinese farmers' per capita net income.