Dabie Chestnuts

Dabie Chestnuts

　　Chestnuts are one of the main specialties of Dabie County, primarily produced in mountainous areas such as Xuanchuan, Fengdian, Sanli, and Fangfan, with an annual output exceeding 5 million kilograms. Among them, Xuanchuandian, a major chestnut-producing town, yields over 3 million kilograms annually, while Zhangdun Village, known as the “No. 1 Chestnut Village” in the county, produces more than 300,000 kilograms per year. The chestnuts produced here are large, with crispy flesh and sweet taste. They are rich in protein, minerals, and various vitamins, offering high nutritional value, and are suitable for both raw and cooked consumption.

　　Currently, the chestnut cultivation area in the county has expanded to 510,000 mu, of which 360,000 mu are productive, with an output exceeding 10,000 tons and a production value of 50 million yuan, accounting for about 7% of the total agricultural output value. Major varieties include “Xuanchuan Red,” “Yaozi Chestnut,” and “Jiangshan No. 2.” The county now has chestnut storage facilities with a capacity of about 800 tons and an annual processing capacity of 200 tons. Chestnut production mainly involves five towns in the northeastern part of the county—Xuanchuan, Fengdian, and Sanli—benefiting 30,000 farming households. Nearly 1,000 large-scale producers have an annual output value exceeding 10,000 yuan. A preliminary industrialized chestnut production and processing system has taken shape, led by Dabie Zhongyuan (Xuanchuan) Chestnut Wine Industry Co., Ltd., with the Zhongyuan Chestnut Market serving as a fresh produce distribution hub, driving the development of thousands of households. In recent years, the market demand for chestnuts has been rising steadily, with strong sales both domestically and internationally. Chestnut trees have become a “money tree” and “treasure trove” for local farmers.

　　Nowadays, chestnut production has flourished across the county, with chestnut trees covering the mountains and forming a unique green landscape in Dabie. In the spring of 2002, Dabie County was awarded the title of “China’s Hometown of Chestnuts” by the State Forestry Administration.