30 tons of macadamia nut seeds introduced to China----this is 1993, Chen Yuxiu who working for Yunnan Grain and Oil Import and Export Corporation, received this mission. Chen Yuxiu never knew that this duty could be her new starting point, which connected her future to macadamia nuts business. She wrote a magnificent chapter in this industry later years.

A bond with macadamia nuts

Chen Yuxiu was questioned whether “a little girl” was able to get job done well when she received this mission of 30 tons seeds import. It was reasonable to doubt because of international situations in 1990s. It was difficult to import seeds at that time. Unexpectedly, Yunnan Grain and Oil Import and Export Corporation designated “a little girl” to face such an important task.

The upper limit of seed import was 50 kg according to government regulation at that time. Chen Yuxiu asked official leader in Ministry of Agriculture directly to get a approval for importing 30 tons seeds . Due to international seed’s source blockade, Chen purchased from oversea channels in different ways. When the importing seeds were withheld by Chinese Customs in XiShuangBanNa, Chen had to request and coordinate with Governor of Province to release them.   

At the beginning of connecting with macadamia nut business, Chen Yuxiu showed a persistent and dauntless spirit, which maintained consistently with her career and became enterprise spirit of her later founded Yun Ao Da Corporation.

A sharp warning from John Wilki

Yunnan macadamia nut business has just experienced a low tide in 2002. According to organization requirement, Chen Yuxiu contacted John Wilki, a macadamia nut expert, to visit Yunnan. At that time Policy of Returning Farmland to Forest was implementing by Yunnan province, many macadamia nut growers quitted from this business. John Wilki suggested that the conditions of growing macadamia nut are richly endowed by nature and weather. It is expectable to be a producing and processing base in the future. But at the same time, he discovered a serious problem that some plants were unable to blossom because of an unorganized growing and the short of experiences.

（约翰·威尔基）

John was unhappy when he found Chen Yuxiu not take this problem seriously. He pointed out that we have to be responsible for taxpayer’s money. Chen was shocked that Mr. Wilki not only pay much more attention and passion on macadamia nut, but also consider possible changes in future of this industry.

Chen Yuxiu set Mr.Wilki as a example and decided the macadamia nut as her career for life.

World-renowned Miss Chen

On May 2003, Yun Ao Da was founded. Chen Yuxiu was appointed as general manager and devoted to push Yunnan macadamia nut business forward. During the few beginning years, Chen went into mountain area to promote nut’s growing, but resistance from farmer came as result of 8 yrs waiting for blossoming. Even overreacting behave of cutting planted macadamia trees happened.

After John Wilki investigation in 2002, 6 improved breeds were produced to make sure adapt Yunnan’s weather and shorten the period to blossom in 3-4yrs. Even they had better seedlings, resistance continued. Chen Yuxiu always believed that time will prove everything.

In 2010, the news that Yun Ao Da’s macadamia tree blossomed and bore fruits in 5000 Ares of standard planting base spread out in LinCang. Time has proved that persistence and effort are worth it. This attracted local famers to become growers. Yun Ao Da did not only provide high-quality seedlings and teach ways for fruit-tree management, but also responsible for purchasing the fruits of growers. Local growers were motivated by Yun Ao Da promotion.

(Present day in LinCang, macadamia nuts planting area ranks first in the world)

In 2014, during macadamia nut in fruit stage, Chen Yuxiu established the Yunnan Macadamia Society united with a variety of nut’s business companies. The mission is to increase quality of nuts and avoid Inappropriate price-setting, early picking.

In 2012, Chen Yuxiu was the first Chinese to introduce Yunnan macadamia nuts to the world at the 6th International Macadamia Symposium. On August 2015,  Chen Yuxiu won the right for China to host the 8th International Macadamia Symposium in Lincang in 2018 at the 7th International Macadamia Symposium in South Africa. As usual, Only the countries and regions that are influential in the Macadamia industry will be able to host the Symposium. Chen Yuxiu became famous in macadamia nuts industry, known as Miss Chen.

The Macadamia industry in Yunnan has achieved to a new level, which means that a new challenge is about to start. Quality is the core rather than quantity. Chen Yuxiu and her Yun Ao Da always Insist on providing good seedlings for growers and believe an idea of “growing nuts with heart”.