Zaoqiang Red Fuji Apples

Zaoqiang Red Fuji Apples

　　Zaoqiang Red Fuji Apples are a specialty of Zaoqiang County, Hengshui City, Hebei Province. The Red Fuji apples produced in Zaoqiang County are bright red in color, with pale yellow flesh that is crisp and sweet in flavor, with a sugar content of 14–15 degrees and soluble solids content of 13%, indicating superior quality.

　　Zaoqiang County currently has over 40,000 acres of Red Fuji apple orchards, with an annual output of 50 million kilograms. These are mainly concentrated in four towns: Wangjun, Encha, Xiaozhang, and Chengguan. In particular, Wangjun Township has developed nearly 10,000 acres of apple orchards, with 5,500 acres passing the pollution-free environmental assessment in 2003. The township has established a fruit wholesale market and a fruit growers' association, and applied to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce for the “Wangjun” brand trademark for Red Fuji apples.

　　Since 2002, the Zaoqiang County Forestry Bureau has promoted pollution-free fruit production throughout the county. In 2003, 7,000 acres of apple orchards passed the pollution-free environmental assessment, with plans to apply for certification for the remaining 33,000 acres. Based on GB/T18406.2 "Safety Requirements for Pollution-Free Fruits" and DB1311, the Hengshui municipal local standard, we have formulated our county’s "Pollution-Free Apple Production Technical Regulations," ensuring that production follows standards, supervision adheres to regulations, and fruits are pollution-free.

　　The Red Fuji apples produced in Zaoqiang County have an average single fruit weight of 250 grams, with the largest reaching up to 400 grams. The fruit is tall and conical in shape, with over 80% being fully red. The skin is bright red, the flesh is pale yellow, the texture is crisp, and the taste is richly sweet, with a sugar content of 14–15 degrees and soluble solids content of 13%, indicating superior quality. The apples are supplied to the market during the holiday season and remain available until May of the following year, offering a long supply period and strong economic returns. They play a significant role in agricultural restructuring and increasing farmers’ production and income.