Yizhang Navel Oranges

Yizhang Navel Oranges

Yizhang Navel Oranges is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Yizhang navel oranges are characterized by their smooth skin, bright orange rind, thin and easy-to-peel exterior, sweet and rich flavor, crisp and juicy texture, and fragrant aroma. The climate in Yizhang is warm, with abundant rainfall, a long frost-free period, and significant day-night temperature differences, making it highly suitable for navel orange cultivation. The region boasts ample mountainous land resources ideal for growing navel oranges.

　　Located at the southernmost tip of Hunan Province, Yizhang County was designated by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2003 as a key county for navel orange production within the “Southern Jiangxi–Southern Hunan–Northern Guangxi” citrus industry belt. In 2006, it was listed by the Ministry of Agriculture as a national demonstration county for standardized navel orange production. Over five years of effort, the county implemented a standardized green food production system for navel oranges across the entire process — from pre-production, to cultivation, to post-harvest management. To date, the county has established two large-scale navel orange bases exceeding 10,000 mu each, and ten bases over 1,000 mu each, covering a total area of 68,900 mu, including nearly 15,000 mu in the standardized production core demonstration zone. It is estimated that by 2008, the bearing area will reach 25,000 mu, yielding 15,000 tons of fresh oranges.

　　Since 2003, Yizhang County has prioritized the navel orange industry as part of its “one county, one product” initiative and a key driver of local economic development. By 2010, the county’s navel orange planting area had reached 96,000 mu, with total output of 21,000 tons and output value surpassing 84 million yuan. A number of high-quality, well-known brands such as “Jiafa” and “Yizhang Navel Oranges” were developed. According to yield forecasts by citrus experts, the county’s total navel orange output in 2024 is expected to reach 44,800 tons, with total output value exceeding 130 million yuan. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, Yizhang plans to expand navel orange cultivation by 170,000 mu across 66 villages in 13 townships and two state-owned farms, aiming for an annual output of 200,000 tons and output value of 400 million yuan, establishing the county as a leading national producer of fresh navel oranges and a major export base.

　　In October 2005, Yizhang Navel Oranges were registered for export by the Hunan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. In November 2005, they won a gold award at the 7th Hunan Provincial Agricultural Expo. In May 2006, they were certified as Grade A Green Food by the China Green Food Development Center. They also received a gold award at the 8th Hunan Provincial Agricultural Expo in 2006, a gold award for best-selling quality agricultural products at the 1st Hunan Green Food Expo in July 2006, and a gold award at the 1st Central and Western Hunan Provincial Agricultural Expo in November 2006.

　　Yizhang navel oranges are characterized by their smooth skin, bright orange rind, thin and easy-to-peel exterior, sweet and rich flavor, crisp and juicy texture, and fragrant aroma.

　　Yizhang Navel Oranges is a geographical indication certification trademark.