People work at a sliced raw fish workshop of Jiangsu Hongjiu Aquatic Product Co in Rugao. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Jiangsu Hongjiu Aquatic Product Co in Rugao, Nantong has formed a production chain consisting of breeding, processing, and selling snakehead fish. The annual output is valued at 1.56 billion yuan ($220.43 million).

"Maximum daily sales surpassed 50 tons. The increasing demand is a result of our standardized breeding," said Fan Cunguo, chairman of the company. 

According to Shen Hengjian, chief of the company's breeding center, technicians test the water quality and live fish every day. The fish are always transported to the company's logistics center, divided based on size, and kept in clear water for two or three days before being sent to clients in order to eliminate dirt and other contaminants.

Live fish sales are only one part of the company's business. It also supplies quick-frozen sliced raw fish to Fujian Anjoy Foods Co, a leading quick-frozen food supplier in China.

"Our products have proved popular among consumers thanks to our fresh materials, special processing techniques, and strict temperature controls during production," explained Li Jianlin, head of the deep-processing factory.

As the sales keep increasing over the past few years, the company has set up breeding centers in Guangdong province, Yancheng and Taizhou.

 By providing fries, technological support, and a stable sales channel, the company has managed to increase the incomes of over 200 households.