Hams are processed at Jinzi Ham Super Factory in Jinhua. [Photo/Tide News]

The Jinzi Ham Super Factory began operations in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on June 11. Backed by an investment of 1 billion yuan ($147.94 million), the facility spans 11.51 hectares, making it Asia's largest ham processing center and China's first ham factory to incorporate 5G and AI technologies.

This milestone marks a new digital era for Jinhua ham, a historical classic industry of Zhejiang with a legacy spanning more than 1,200 years.

Traditional Jinhua ham production relied on artisanal skills, which limited production capacity and made it sensitive to environmental conditions, keeping premium product rates at around 75 percent. To address these challenges, Jinzi Ham Company formed a team led by Chen Shuntong, a national intangible cultural heritage inheritor, who converted 48 core processes and decades of experience into standardized AI parameters.

The smart workshop maintains optimal conditions and simulates the natural environment to support ham fermentation and maturation. Its facilities carry out complex steps such as salting, washing, and drying with precision, eliminating many of the uncertainties of traditional production.

"Craftsmanship is the root, equipment is the hand. We must preserve the root and extend the hand," said Chen. This transformation has raised the premium product rate to over 99 percent.

The factory is designed to produce 1.5 million hams annually, with additional lines for sausages and cured meats. It also introduces a full-chain traceability system. Each ham has a "digital ID", allowing consumers to access lifecycle data via a QR code, ensuring transparency and confidence in product quality.