Since 2022, China has become the world's largest producer and exporter of farmed eels, with Guangdong serving as the core region, while Taishan is widely regarded as the "jewel in the crown of Guangdong's eel industry." The city has 51,000 mu (about 3,400 hectares) of eel farming areas, which, industry insiders estimate, account for more than one quarter of the national total. From January to November 2025, Jiangmen Customs supervised exports of live eels from Taishan valued at 1.197 billion yuan, with export volume reaching 7,670 tonnes, accounting for more than 60% of the national market share. These figures help explain the saying that "China's eel industry is centered in Jiangmen, while Jiangmen's eel industry is concentrated in Taishan."

Taishan is dotted with mountain ponds and reservoirs, with abundant freshwater resources and no industrial pollution, providing eels with a growing environment comparable to "natural mineral water." Many farmers have been drawn to Taishan, where the eel industry has gradually taken shape. In 2011, Taishan eels were recognized as a national geographical indication product.

Taishan has established a spatial development layout for the eel industry described as "one core, one belt, two zones and multiple bases," covering contiguous standardized aquaculture areas including Doushan town and Duanfen town. The city has also developed a comprehensive industrial chain covering feed production, eel farming, grilled eel processing and export trade, achieving full-chain integration and coordinated development. The strength of this industrial chain is reflected in both output and value. In 2025, Taishan's annual production of live eels reached 52,000 tonnes, with an output value of 7.216 billion yuan.

Bu Hongjin, head of Xulong Group Taishan Lvsheng Food Co., Ltd, who has been involved in the Taishan eel industry for more than 20 years, said, "Eels farmed in Taishan are rich in protein, various vitamins, amino acids and multiple trace elements, giving them high nutritional value. They also have a smooth and delicate texture, making them a mainstream variety sold in the international high-end market." At present, Taishan eels have reached markets including Japan, South Korea and Singapore, demonstrating strong international competitiveness.

从侨乡“游”向世界，江门台山鳗鱼敢为天下“鲜”｜广货行天下

2022年起，中国成为全球最大鳗鱼养殖和出口国，广东是核心地区，而台山堪称“皇冠上的明珠”：拥有5.1万亩鳗鱼养殖面积，据业内人士估计，已占全国总面积超过1/4；2025年1至11月，江门海关监管出口台山活鳗鱼货值11.97亿元，出口量7670吨，占全国市场份额60%以上。这些数据支撑起“中国鳗鱼看江门，江门鳗鱼看台山”的底气。

台山山塘水库密布，淡水水源充足，无工业污染，为鳗鱼提供了堪比“天然矿泉水”的生长环境。众多养殖户纷纷来到台山，鳗鱼产业也在这里逐渐兴起。2011年，台山鳗鱼入选国家地理标志产品。

台山为鳗鱼产业打造“一心一带两区多基地”空间格局，覆盖斗山镇、端芬镇等连片标准化养殖区；打造涵盖饲料生产、鳗鱼养殖、烤鳗加工及出口贸易等领域的产业链，实现全链条贯通与协同发展。产业链的强大，最终体现在产量与产值：2025年，台山活鳗年产量5.2万吨，产值72.16亿元。

作为台山市绿盛食品有限公司负责人，和台山鳗鱼“打交道”已经20多年的卜洪金表示：“台山养殖的鳗鱼含有蛋白质、多种维生素、氨基酸等营养物质，以及多种微量元素，营养价值非常高，且口感滑嫩细腻，是国际高端市场上销售的主流品种。”目前，台山鳗鱼已经“鳗”游日本、韩国、新加坡等地，具有很强的竞争力。

文 | 陈卓栋 台宣
译丨曾敏
英文审校丨肖凯欣