Production Agglomeration and Spatiotemporal Evolution of China’s Fruit Industry over the Last 40 Years

This study analyzes the dynamics of China’s fruit industry using a range of analytical tools, including the location Gini coefficient, industry concentration ratio, spatial autocorrelation index, specialization index, and the industry gravity model. It explores the industry’s evolving characteristics and trends since the economic reforms, culminating in a trajectory map that highlights shifts in the industry’s gravitational center. This study also offers a qualitative analysis of the factors influencing the agglomeration and relocation of fruit production centers. The findings show a steady increase in both total output and yields per unit area within China’s fruit industry over time. Although the overall degree of agglomeration has decreased, regional agglomeration effects remain significant. Furthermore, the data reveal significant spatial autocorrelation in fruit production, indicating a long-term westward shift in core production areas. Different geographic areas exhibit varying levels of gradational shifts, with marked differences in production concentration patterns across different fruit types. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding production agglomeration, integrating interdisciplinary methods from statistics and geography.