All exhibitors opted to use WeChat to take orders at a farm produce fair on July 18 in Taicang city.

The fair opened at 10 am and more than 20 food companies showcased their flagship products.

The fruits, vegetables and other produce displayed were mainly for viewing. Visitors who wanted to make a purchase were asked to scan the exhibitor's QR code and place their orders online.

Media Papaya from Taicang and Caiwanjia from Suzhou, two E-commerce platforms, both received hundreds of online orders that day.

Taicang is home to many farming cooperatives who have seen the potential of online retailing.

Dianzhan village built a WeChat portal and shop in 2014 and started selling melons through e-commerce in 2015.

The Wanjiaan cooperative had its own website in 2014 and now plans to create an online outlet. Its target is to make 80 percent of its sales through online channels and reap 20 million yuan ($3.22 million) per year.

People visit a farm produce fair in Taiang city, Jiangsu province on July 18. [Photo by Taicang Daily]

Many local agricultural products grabbed attention at the fair.

The Warehouse Co (dadicang.com) brought their multicolored tomatoes for display. Yangcao village from Huangjing town showed off their branded waxberry liquor and fresh lotus roots. A peach cooperative from Yuewang town presented its yellow peaches and honey peaches.