Duan Yuan Pomegranates

Duan Yuan Pomegranates

　　Duan Yuan Pomegranates are a specialty of Duan Yuan Town, Duji District, Huaibei City, Anhui Province. Known for their vibrant color, large juicy grains that are soft, unique flavor, balanced taste, and rich nutrition, Duan Yuan pomegranates have long enjoyed a strong reputation in fruit markets across Huaibei, Xuzhou, and beyond, earning them the nickname “crystal pearls.”

　　 The pomegranates of Duan Yuan Town are primarily cultivated in three natural villages—Qi Village, Duan Yuan, and Mao Zhuang—located in the mountainous northern belt, with a cultivation history of over 200 years. In recent years, the town government has prioritized the development of the pomegranate industry as the second-largest sector after grapes. Efforts have focused not only on increasing yield but also on improving quality, with particular emphasis on breeding high-quality varieties, actively promoting varietal improvement, strictly controlling seed selection, and enhancing meticulous management both above and below the trees. Cultivation techniques continue to improve, while attention is also given to greening, beautifying, and purifying the production environment. Planting is encouraged along roadsides, field edges, and other available spaces, allowing the pomegranate industry to develop in line with local conditions. As a result, pomegranate production has grown rapidly, with planting area expanding year by year. The current total pomegranate cultivation area in the town has reached over 5,000 mu, including more than 3,500 mu of mature orchards and over 1,500 mu of young orchards. Annual production exceeds 17.5 million jin, generating an annual output value of more than 31.5 million yuan. Key varieties include Da Qing Pi, Da Hong Pao, Bing Tang Zi, and Ruan Zi No. 4. Among these, Da Qing Pi, also known as Iron Skin Pomegranate, is the main variety grown in Qi Village. In 2001, this variety was recognized as a high-quality product at the National Pomegranate Production Areas Experience Exchange and Collaboration Conference held in Lintong County, Shaanxi Province, and was also certified as a high-quality product by the Huaibei Pomegranate Research Institute. It is considered top-tier in quality, with high yield and suitability for large-scale cultivation. Da Hong Pao pomegranate trees are vigorous, highly productive, and resistant to storage and transport, offering excellent quality—making it an outstanding variety suited for development in mountainous regions.