By Dong Na

　　We are in the midst of late-year rice's harvest season. The newly-harvested crop is perfect for making rice cakes. In Cicheng, Jiangbei District, known as "China's rice cake capital", rice product factories are having the busiest time of the year.

　　This year, Cicheng's factories are busier than usual. In the Cicheng Rice Cake Industrial Park, many workers have to rise particularly early in the morning to meet production schedules.

　　The company Lvhe Foods started making this year's rice cakes on October 18. On the first few days, they used 1.5 tons of rice per day. But a week later, the amount rose to 2.5 tons. Now, the company churns out more than 3.25 tons of rice cakes and other rice-based products daily.

　　With 2023's Lunar New Year falling early (in January), consumer demand is high. The factories' "final sprint" will begin in December, by which time their daily rice use is expected to reach 5 tons.

　　Cicheng rice cakes have long been renowned for their refined production techniques and the quality of the late-year rice used. Cicheng manufacturers only start production after harvest time, in the brief window between mid or late October and Chinese New Year of the next year.

　　In addition to original-flavor rice cakes, manufacturers are also actively catering to market preferences with flavors such as mugwort, brown sugar, pumpkin, and more.

　　Creatively-shaped rice cakes are particularly popular this year, with many customers ordering in large quantities. Lvhe Foods is planning to offer a wide range of rice cake gift packages. The factory expects to double its total production volume this year.

　　Chief Adviser: Zhao Qingchuan

　　Proofreader: Gou Wen