The coastal city of Yantai is putting its efforts into building a brand for itself as "China's food city".

According to the city's plans, the brand will be based on food diversity and security and revenue generated from the food industry will reach 300 billion yuan ( $49.18 billion) by the end of 2017.

"We have carried out a series of policies to boost the city's food sector, aiming to develop the city into a heavyweight in both China and the overseas food market," said Meng Fanli, mayor of Yantai.

With the help of the local government's efforts, Yantai has a competitive edge in 16 food sectors including oil, meat, aquatic products, fruit and vegetables, vermicelli, cake, candy, instant foods, dairy products and condiments.

Last year, revenue generated from the industry hit 170 billion yuan, the highest of all cities in China.

By the first half of this year, 528 enterprises were doing business in the city's food industry and generated revenue of 84.24 billion yuan. Among those involved Changyu Pioneer Wine Co, oil producer Shandong Luhua Co Ltd, Shandong Longda Meat Foodstuff Co Ltd, Yantai North Andre Juice Co Ltd and Shandong Oriental Ocean Sci-tech Co, played leading roles in their sectors. Apples, pears, cherries and wine produced in Yantai are well known around the country, said Meng.

The 152 wine makers in Yantai produced 331 million liters of wine last year and generated 21.8 billion yuan in revenue and profits of 2.9 billion yuan.

The city has cultivated three nationally famous brands and five trademarks in the wine sector. It also has eight famous Shandong brands and 13 leading provincial trademarks.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild selected Penglai to develop its first vineyard and chateau in China.

The city's food industry is also a foreign investment destination. More than 300 foreign funded enterprises are in Yantai and involve a total foreign investment of $2 billion.

Food products made in Yantai are exported to more than 70 countries and regions including Russia, America and South Korea. The Food Exposition and Trade Fair for China, Japan and South Korea has been held in Yantai for 12 consecutive years and has become a platform for Asian countries to exchange food information.

To ensure food quality, Yantai government encourages enterprises to build environment-friendly and green farms.

The first assessment and trade fair on quality food will be held in Yantai from Oct 25 to 27. Meng said the event would help upgrade the city's level in the food industry.