Huangmei Green Shrimp

Huangmei Green Shrimp

Huangmei Green Shrimp is a protected geographical indication product.

　　“Huangmei Green Shrimp” refers to the green shrimp produced in Yuanhuan Lake and its surrounding areas within Huangmei County, Hubei Province. It is a specialty of Huangmei County and a national geographical indication product. With its massive population, superior germplasm, pure lineage, bluish-transparent color, and rich diversity of trace elements, it is rare across the country and has long been highly praised by industry insiders.

　　In 2010, after review by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, it was decided to implement national geographical indication product protection for “Huangmei Green Shrimp.”

　　“Huangmei Green Shrimp” originated in Yuanhuan Lake, the ancient “Lei Chi” at the border between Hubei and Anhui. The lake area, abundant in water and full of diverse scenery, is an ideal habitat for aquatic life and plants, especially for green shrimp. Huangmei Green Shrimp has a long and rich history and has long held a significant position in the family of aquatic products. During the planned economy era, people had limited awareness of the economic and edible value of green shrimp, and local residents caught them in small quantities, trading them live or drying them into dried shrimp. By the late 1980s, some fishermen began exploring and tapping into the green shrimp resources, transporting a moderate amount to regions such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, where they were well received by consumers. Over time, the market demand for Huangmei Green Shrimp continued to grow, and prices also rose steadily. Sensing the opportunity, many invested in shrimp traps and nets to catch shrimp from the lake, modified vehicles to develop live transport, and set up factories to purchase and process fresh shrimp. According to incomplete statistics, from 1990 to 1998, the annual catch ranged between 500 and 800 tons, with as many as nine processing plants producing 300 to 400 tons of fresh shrimp per year. Main products included shrimp meat, shrimp balls, shrimp noodles, and frozen green shrimp.

　　　The protected geographical indication area for Huangmei Green Shrimp includes Yuanhuan Lake and the administrative regions of eight towns and townships around it within Huangmei County, Hubei Province: Xiaxin Town, Dushan Town, Huangmei Town, Liuzuo Township, Xiaochi Town, Konglong Town, Fenlu Town, and Zhuogang Town.