Qianyang Navel Oranges

Qianyang Navel Oranges

Qianyang Navel Oranges are recognized as a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　    Approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of China, the "Qianyang Navel Oranges" from Hongjiang City have officially been granted national geographical indication (GI) product protection. The protected production area includes towns such as Shawan, Dachong, and Xiazhou, covering a cultivation area of 3,000 mu with an annual output of 6,000 tons. This is another citrus brand in the city to successfully obtain national GI product protection, following the "Qianyang Sugar Orange."

　　    Hongjiang City has a long history of citrus cultivation and is one of the key counties (cities) in the province’s advantageous citrus production bases as well as a national high-quality citrus base. In 1978, local agricultural technicians successfully bred a high-yield, high-quality variety suitable for local cultivation from imported American citrus varieties such as Newhall and Bonanza, naming it "Qianyang Navel Oranges." This variety features large, well-shaped fruits with thin, shiny skin, vibrant coloration, juicy and seedless flesh, balanced sweetness and acidity, tender texture, and a pure flavor. Upon entering the market, it quickly gained widespread popularity among consumers. In 2004 and 2008, the variety won the Gold Award at the Western Hunan Agricultural Expo twice. The national GI product protection granted to "Qianyang Navel Oranges," following that of "Qianyang Sugar Orange," signifies that Hongjiang City now officially possesses two national GI-protected products, providing new momentum and assurance for the development of its citrus industry. In recent years, the city has actively implemented the strategic goal of "stabilizing the city through agriculture," effectively integrating advantageous resources and various funds, vigorously promoting standardized production, and striving to build premium brands. These efforts have yielded gratifying results, including larger-scale production, a wider variety of citrus fruits, and increased income for fruit farmers. Currently, the city’s citrus cultivation area has reached 247,800 mu, with total output exceeding 240,000 tons and total output value surpassing 300 million yuan.

　　    Hongjiang City is located in western Hunan Province, in the central part of Huaihua City, upstream of the Yuan River basin, on the eastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau within the Xuefeng Mountain area. Its geographical coordinates are 109°32′–110°31′ east longitude and 26°59′–27°29′ north latitude, stretching 102 km from east to west and 55 km from north to south, with a total land area of 2,174 square kilometers. The production area of Qianyang Navel Oranges is located in 10 towns within the central citrus-producing zone centered around Anjiang, including Shawan Township, Anjiang Town, Xiazhou Township, Longtian Township, Chatou Township, Maodu Township, Dachong Township, Taiping Township, and Xuefeng Town, as well as the western citrus-producing zone centered around Qiancheng, including Yanlong Township.