Linyi Apples

Linyi Apples

Linyi apples are an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Linyi apples are a specialty of Linyi County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province. Renowned worldwide for their excellent shape, vibrant color, delicious taste, sweetness, crispness, and refreshing flavor, Linyi apples are sold in 25 provinces and cities across China, and exported to countries such as Southeast Asia and Russia. They are a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Linyi County is located in the southwest of Shanxi Province, within the golden triangle area of Shanxi, Henan, and Shaanxi. It enjoys a mild climate, abundant sunshine, large diurnal temperature variations, and a pollution-free environment. The average altitude ranges from 500 to 800 meters, with annual rainfall of 512 mm, a frost-free period of 217 days, 2353 hours of sunlight, and an average annual temperature of 13.6°C. The diurnal temperature difference between July and October is 12°C, making it one of the best-suited regions for fruit cultivation. After over a decade of continuous development, the county’s fruit orchard area has reached 1 million mu, making it the largest fruit-producing county in China. Annual fruit production amounts to 2 billion kg, with a commercial rate exceeding 80%, and total output value reaching 3 billion yuan. Fruit industry income accounts for about 70% of the per capita net income of farmers in the county. There are 100,000 households engaged in fruit production, involving 350,000 workers. The apple planting area covers 800,000 mu, including 500 standardized production demonstration zones, 100 premium apple production demonstration gardens, and 8 pollution-free apple production demonstration zones, each covering no less than 10,000 mu, with a total area of 100,000 mu. The county’s fruit products have won 48 national gold awards and 10 provincial gold awards. In October 2003, it was officially designated by the Ministry of Agriculture as a National “Pollution-Free Fruit Production Demonstration Base County,” certifying 450,000 tons of Linyi apples as pollution-free agricultural products and allowing the use of the national unified pollution-free agricultural product label. In 2008, the Ministry of Agriculture planned the county as a National Fruit and Food Safety Demonstration County. Dongzhang Town and Beijing Township in the county became among the top 100 apple-producing townships in China. At the 8th Yuncheng Agricultural Expo and 2nd Apple Culture Festival in 2008, Linyi’s SOD apples were awarded the Best Fruit Award and Quality Product Award. Linyi apples are renowned worldwide for their excellent shape, vibrant color, delicious taste, sweetness, crispness, and refreshing flavor, are sold in 25 provinces and cities across China, and exported to countries such as Southeast Asia and Russia.

　　In 2013, the “Linyi Apples” application submitted by the Linyi County Fruit Industry Development Center passed the review of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, and was registered and protected as a national geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Location:

　　2013

　　Geographic Scope

　　Linyi County, where Linyi apples are produced, is located in the southwest of Shanxi Province, along the northern edge of the Yuncheng Basin delta. It borders Yanhu District to the southeast, Yongji City to the southwest, faces Shaanxi Province’s Heyang County across the Yellow River to the west, and connects to Wanrong County via solitary peaks to the north. It spans 55 km from east to west and 33 km from north to south, governing 8 towns (Yizhi Town, Meiyang Town, Linjin Town, Qiji Town, Dongzhang Town, Sunji Town, Sanguan Town, and Zizi Town), 5 townships (Chuhou Township, Miaoshang Township, Jiaobei Township, Beixin Township, and Beijing Township), 3 districts (Niudu Trade and Industry District, Zhuoli Trade and Industry District, and Yanzhuang Trade and Industry District), and 375 administrative villages. It lies between 110°17′30.7″–110°54′38.9″ east longitude and 34°58′52.9″–35°18′47.6″ north latitude. The apple planting area covers 46,700 hectares, with an annual fruit production of 1.3 billion kg.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: 85mm apples are large-sized, with an average single fruit weight of 220–350 grams and a maximum single fruit weight of 500 grams. The fruits are mostly round, with a fruit shape index of around 0.8, well-shaped and tall, bright in color, white flesh, crisp and sweet in taste, juicy, pleasantly acidic and sweet, richly fragrant, non-astringent, smooth and delicate in skin, and good for storage. The first-grade rate for fruit size is over 80%, and the first-grade rate for fruit surface color is over 90%. 2. Internal Quality: The soluble solids content of the fruit is ≥12.5g/100g, total dietary fiber 1.5–2.0g/100g, vitamin C content ≥4.0mg/100g, potassium content 110–120mg/100g, total flavonoids (calculated as rutin) ≥0.022g/100g, and moisture content ≥84.5g/100g. 3. Safety Requirements: The production process complies with the Pollution-Free Apple Standards (No. 8, 2012) issued by the Office of Agricultural Products Quality, and the product quality meets the requirements of GB/T10651 for fresh apples.