By Chris Kilham

They are found in snack packs, cereals, trail mixes, snack bars, and drinks: goji berries (Lycium chinense, Solanaceae) have become a popular so-called “superfood” and a widely used botanical in traditional Chinese medicine for overall health and vitality, liver detoxification, and for improving eye health. In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northern China, goji production is a big business and a source of income for thousands of people.

All images ©2022 Chris Kilham

Goji, the Treasure of Ningxia
Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, are cultivated in Ningxia, a small autonomous region in north-central China near the Mongolian border. The region is bordered by the Helan Mountains to the north. Goji berries provide income for large numbers of people in the region.

Harvesters Work a Field
During the goji harvest from late June through early August, regional workers pick goji berries on more than 10,000 hectares (roughly 25,000 acres) of land. The land is owned by the Chinese government.

Mother and Son Harvest Goji
Farmers rent parcels of goji land from the government and hire harvesters to bring in the crop. During the harvest, all family members help out. Except those who work in restaurants and at gas stations, anybody who is able works the harvest.

Laden with Berries
The lifespan of a goji bush is about 15 years. Younger bushes produce smaller berries. Here, a mature bush is laden with ripe berries.

Hot Work
In early July, it is hot in the goji fields. This man stops for a much-needed water break.

Young Boy Harvests Goji
This smiling young man has the goji touch. The berries are very soft and can easily be ruptured. Harvesting takes skill and dexterity. Each harvester will pick approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) of fresh goji berries in one day.

Goji Harvester with Two Full Baskets
The more berries harvested, the more money made. This man is happy with his two baskets, groaning full of fresh berries.

Buyer Rolls In
One of the main buyers working this farm rolls in to start weighing baskets, carrying some harvesters on his truck.

Proud of Her Harvest
This skilled harvester shows off two full baskets of berries, which will yield much-needed family income.

Buyer Weighs Berries
Using a basic stick-and-weight scale, the buyer weighs baskets of berries. Weight determines pay.

Woman Loads Goji onto Truck
This woman assists the buyer, loading weighed baskets of goji into the truck for transport to drying.

Calculating Payment
Another buyer calculates payment for baskets of berries. Accuracy is key.

Happy Goji Family
After a hard day of harvesting, this family was quick with smiles and happy to be photographed.

Raking Berries to Dry
It takes about five days in the summer sun to dry goji berries down to 13% moisture.

Tapping off Stems
When goji berries are dried, their stems are lightly tapped off using a narrow paddle.