Dehua Black Rabbit

Dehua Black Rabbit

Dehua Black Rabbit is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural produce.

　　Dehua Black Rabbit

　　Dehua Black Rabbit, also known as Dehua Black Fur Fujian Rabbit, is a small-sized dual-purpose breed for both fur and meat. It still retains the habit of burrowing and living in holes.

　　In Quanzhou, besides the South China Rabbit, there is also a locally unique domesticated rabbit: Xiao Hei. Its appearance differs from the typical white rabbit — it has black ears, black eyes, black paws, black fur, and a black tail. It is the ancient local rabbit breed of Fujian — the Dehua Black Rabbit, which has records of domestication dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

　　As early as the 12th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty, there were records of Xiao Hei being domesticated in Quanzhou. The "Dehua County Annals" state that Xiao Hei “gives birth to three or four offspring per month.” This shows that at least 200 years ago, people in Dehua had already started raising rabbits.

　　Meat products

　　Geographical scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for Dehua Black Rabbit covers the entire administrative region of Dehua County. Currently, Dehua County governs 18 townships and 202 village (residential) committees. Dehua County is located in the central part of Fujian Province, in the northern part of Quanzhou City. It lies between 117°55′ and 118°32′ east longitude, and 25°23′ and 25°56′ north latitude. It borders Yongtai County and Xianyou County to the east, neighbors Yongchun County to the south, adjoins Datian County to the west, and is adjacent to Youxi County to the north. The land area spans 2,232.16 square kilometers. Dehua Black Rabbit belongs to an economic subgroup of the Southwest Fujian Black Rabbit and is raised in Dehua’s unique natural ecological environment, giving it distinctive characteristics and meat quality. Locals commonly refer to it as Dehua Black Rabbit. Currently, the county has a stock of 350,000 rabbits, with over 1.05 million slaughtered annually, producing 2,100 tons of meat and generating an annual output value of 140 million yuan.