Yaowan Honey Tangerines

Yaowan Honey Tangerines

Yaowan Honey Tangerines are a protected geographical indication product.

　　   Xiling District of Yichang City, Hubei Province, is located in the city center of Yichang, covering a land area of 89.8 square kilometers. It has 1,500 mu of cultivated land and nearly 7,000 mu of orchards, including 5,696 mu of citrus orchards. Xiling District is one of the earliest bases for commercial citrus production established in Hubei Province. It is famous for producing “Yaowan Honey Tangerines.” As early as 1958, Yaowan Township in Xiling District successfully introduced and trialed Wenzhou tangerines, and large-scale citrus production began in 1960. Citrus is a pillar industry of Xiling District’s agriculture, accounting for over 80% of farmers’ total income. In recent years, the district committee and government have consistently implemented the scientific development concept, focusing on the adjustment of the agricultural and rural economic structure. Especially taking the opportunity of building a new socialist countryside, and in combination with local geographical advantages, they have strengthened the development of characteristic agriculture. Efforts have been made to enhance high-quality citrus production zones, implement a premium brand strategy, increase investment in science and technology, and solidly advance industrialized management. The quality of “Yaowan Honey Tangerines” has continued to improve, and the brand has gained increasing recognition. Despite a reduction in planted area over the years, citrus production has consistently remained above 30 million jin, with prices holding steady at over 1.2 yuan per kilogram. To further accelerate the industrialization of citrus and promote the development of premium orchards, and to build the “Yichang Honey Tangerine” brand into a premium product, in May 2006, with strong support from the Municipal Agriculture and Economy Bureau, the District Agriculture, Forestry and Water Resources Bureau, and the Yaowan Township Government, the Yaowan Honey Tangerine Production and Marketing Cooperative—a rural economic organization—was established.

The protected geographical indication area for Yaowan Honey Tangerines is based on the scope proposed in the “Notice on Clarifying the Registration and Protection Scope of Yaowan Honey Tangerine Geographical Indications” (Yi Xi Fu Fa [2006] No. 14) issued by the People’s Government of Xiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province. It covers the current administrative region of Yaowan Township, Xiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province.

　　 Mr. Zhang Wencai, known as the “Father of Chinese Citrus,” conducted years of dedicated research in Yaowan, where he developed the high-quality variety “Guoqing No. 1.” This variety was widely promoted across the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Yaowan Honey Tangerines enjoy a high reputation domestically and are ranked first among the “Three Treasures of Yichang.” Since 1965, Yaowan Honey Tangerines have been exported to countries and regions such as Canada, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Southeast Asia. They have been designated as an export base for citrus by foreign trade departments and recognized as a high-quality citrus production base by the Ministry of Agriculture. The “Yaowan” brand citrus has been registered with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and awarded the title of “Famous Brand” product by the state.

　　 Yaowan Township administers nine villages, one farm, and one institute. It enjoys convenient transportation and is close to the suburbs of Yichang City. All village and group roads have been hardened with cement. The historical peak yield of citrus reached 22,000 tons. It is known as the “Citrus Town at the Gorge Entrance.” Renowned lyricists and composers such as Qiao Yu and Gu Jianfen, after visiting the area, left behind the inscription “Kingdom of Citrus” and composed the song “The Citrus Tree in Front of the Door,” which is widely sung in the Three Gorges region. Yaowan Township has established the “Yaowan Honey Tangerine Production and Marketing Association,” formulated the “Yaowan Honey Tangerine Grading Standard,” and formed a regional agricultural industrialization leading enterprise—the Yichang Youzhu Citrus Sales Company. The company, along with the villages and fruit growers throughout the township, warmly welcomes customers to purchase citrus from the township.

　　 Yaowan Honey Tangerines are named after their place of origin, Yaowan Township in Yichang City at the Three Gorges, Hubei Province. The unique climate of the Three Gorges and the acidic purple soil of Yaowan have nurtured the distinctive flavor of Yaowan Honey Tangerines—fruits that are neat and well-formed, with bright orange-red color, thin and shiny skin, tender flesh, easy-to-separate segments, juicy texture, rich flavor, and high nutritional value. They contain 16% soluble solids, over 12% sugar content, and 26.3–26.9 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams, making them particularly suitable for those with vitamin deficiencies.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Yaowan Honey Tangerines is based on the scope proposed in the “Notice on Clarifying the Registration and Protection Scope of Yaowan Honey Tangerine Geographical Indications” (Yi Xi Fu Fa [2006] No. 14) issued by the People’s Government of Xiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province. It covers the current administrative region of Yaowan Township, Xiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province.