Luogang Sweet Oranges

Luogang Sweet Oranges

Luogang Sweet Oranges are a protected geographical indication product.

　　In the 1970s and 1980s, Luogang Sweet Oranges, the most renowned fruit of Lingnan, were the most expensive among all fruits in the province.

　　According to historical records, the Luogang area began cultivating sweet oranges as early as the Ming and Qing dynasties. According to the Tongzhi Volume of the Panyu County Annals: “From Xiaokeng and Huocun to Luogang in Ludibu, Panyu, spanning thirty to forty li, many made their living from flowers and fruits. On each mu of land, 40 to 50 citrus trees were planted. The soil was fertilized with well-rotted earth, irrigated with ditch water, and large ants from the mountains were placed on the trees to repel pests. After three to four years, each orange tree would yield half a hu (approximately 50–60 jin), and each tangerine tree half that amount. When ripe, the yellow fruits hung abundantly.” By the Republican era, the cultivation area had reached over 3,000 mu. Due to microclimatic differences, Luogang Sweet Oranges possess a unique quality that is “distinctive and specialized, refined and exquisite,” compared to sweet oranges from other regions. They are not only vibrant in color and moderate in size, but also sweet, juicy, refreshing, and resistant to storage. Particularly notable is their unique osmanthus fragrance and honey-like taste, making them highly suited to the palates of people in Guangdong. In the 1980s, Luogang Sweet Oranges were almost a household name in the Guangzhou–Hong Kong–Macao region, with demand far outstripping supply. At their peak, the wholesale price reached as high as 1.8 yuan per jin. A local saying goes: if a household had Luogang Sweet Oranges, guests would be greeted by the aroma of oranges and osmanthus upon entering.

　　The cultivation techniques of Luogang Sweet Oranges are easy to master, with low production costs, high yields, and long shelf life, making them suitable for large-scale promotion. In the 1970s and 1980s, driven by market profits, villages and communities in the former Luogang Town began large-scale cultivation of Luogang Sweet Oranges, reaching a peak area of over 18,000 mu and an annual output of more than 600,000 dan (i.e., over 30,000 tons)—among which the Dalang Community of the former Luogang Village achieved an average yield of over 10,000 jin per mu for five consecutive years, and served as the main source of income for local farmers for 20 years, leading to prosperous and even early wealth among the local population.

　　The production area of Luogang Sweet Oranges covers four administrative regions under the jurisdiction of Luogang District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province: Luogang Subdistrict, Yonghe Subdistrict, Lianhe Subdistrict, and Jiulong Town.