Xilin Sugar Orange

Xilin Sugar Orange

Xilin Sugar Orange is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Xilin County has a subtropical monsoon climate with no intense heat in summer or severe cold in winter. It enjoys abundant sunshine and ample rainfall, and its soil is deep, loose, moist, and highly fertile, making it highly suitable for growing sugar oranges. The sugar oranges produced in the county have high yields and excellent quality. Apart from being sold locally, most of the fruit is exported to various markets across Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, and other regions. In 2011, it was awarded the title of “Hometown of China’s Sugar Oranges” by the China Economic Forestry Association.

　　Xilin County has a subtropical monsoon climate with no intense heat in summer or severe cold in winter. It enjoys abundant sunshine and ample rainfall, and its soil is deep, loose, moist, and highly fertile, making it highly suitable for growing fruit. In 2002, Xilin County began introducing sugar orange cultivation and developing the sugar orange industry. Thanks to its favorable climate and geographical conditions, the sugar oranges grown in the county have high yields and excellent quality. Most of the fruit is exported to various markets across Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, and other regions, apart from being sold locally. The strong market demand has greatly motivated local farmers to grow fruit, leading to rapid expansion of sugar orange plantations and steady improvement in quality. In 2011, it was awarded the title of “Hometown of China’s Sugar Oranges” by the China Economic Forestry Association. Currently, the total planting area has reached 126,000 acres, with an estimated annual yield of over 90,000 tons and an output value exceeding 300 million yuan.

　　The cultivation and management of Xilin Sugar Oranges follow the standards of “organic food” production. For fertilization, chemical fertilizers and waste-based fertilizers are not used—only organic and biological fertilizers are applied to ensure that all soil indicators meet organic food requirements. For pest and disease control, toxic pesticides are avoided, and integrated techniques such as insect-proof nets, bagging, and lure-killing methods are employed along with biological methods like protecting and utilizing natural predators. This results in no pesticide residues and meets international standards.

　　“Xilin Sugar Oranges have a high edible rate, high sugar content, and a soluble solids content of 14%. They are rich in juice, with crisp, tender, seedless flesh that melts in the mouth and a strong, sweet flavor.” This is the scientific evaluation of Xilin Sugar Oranges’ sugar content and nutritional components by a national expert panel on premium fruit quality assessment, which included authoritative fruit experts from Beijing, Shanghai, and other regions in 2009.

　　From 2009 to 2010, Xilin implemented the science and technology project “Demonstration and Promotion of Pollution-Free High-Yield Cultivation Techniques for Sugar Oranges in High-Altitude Areas,” which passed expert evaluation as scheduled and won the first prize for scientific and technological progress in Baise City in 2010. In 2009, Xilin Sugar Oranges were certified as China’s pollution-free agricultural products, with 58,000 acres of sugar orange orchards recognized as pollution-free production areas at the autonomous region level. In November 2011, Xilin County was named “Hometown of China’s Sugar Oranges.” On November 22, 2012, Xilin Sugar Oranges were further certified as a “National Geographical Indication Protected Product.”

　　Xilin Sugar Orange

　　 The administrative regions currently under the jurisdiction of eight towns in Xilin County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Badaxiang, Guzhangxiang, Mabangxiang, Puhemiuzuoxiang, Nazuomiuzuoxiang, Zubieyaozumizuoxiang, Xipingxiang, and Nalaogxiang

　　Notice of the People's Government of Xilin County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Determining the Protection Scope of the Geographical Indication Product Xilin Sugar Orange, Xizheng Fa [2012] No. 21; Local Standard of Xilin County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: DB451030/T5-2010 “Xilin Sugar Orange”

　　I. Variety

　　Sugar Orange.

　　II. Growing Conditions

　　The planting area is located at an altitude of 500m to 1100m, with soil type being black loam. The soil is loose, with a pH value between 5.0 and 7.0, soil layer thickness of ≥600mm, organic matter content of ≥2%, and groundwater level of ≤1m.

　　III. Cultivation and Management

　　1. Seedling Propagation: Grafting using sour orange as the rootstock. Seedling release standards: plant height of 350mm to 600mm, ground diameter of 10mm, with three-level branching.

　　2. Planting: Planting is carried out after the autumn shoots mature in September to October or during the spring shoot sprouting period in February to March. Planting density is ≤1150 plants per hectare.

　　3. Pruning and Shaping: Through bud rubbing and shoot control, shoot thinning and short pruning (pinching), timely shoot release, and shaping and pruning, a compact, round-headed high-yield tree canopy is cultivated.

　　4. Fertilization: Mainly organic fertilizer supplemented with appropriate inorganic fertilizer; annually, each hectare is applied with ≥15,000kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer, ≥540kg of pure nitrogen, ≥270kg of phosphorus fertilizer, and ≥540kg of potassium fertilizer.

　　5. Environmental and Safety Requirements: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and the like must comply with national regulations, and environmental pollution must be avoided.

　　IV. Fruit Harvesting

　　Fresh market fruit is harvested when the fruit is normally mature, with the peel fully colored in light orange-red to orange-red. Storage fruit is harvested 7 to 10 days earlier than fresh market fruit. Harvesting period: December 20 to February 20 of the following year. Harvesting method: double-cut method—first cut 1cm from the fruit stem, then trim flat against the stem, leaving sepals intact.

　　V. Quality Characteristics

　　1. Sensory Characteristics: The fruit is flat and plump in shape; the color is bright orange-red, evenly colored, with a slightly rough texture and glossy finish; the flesh is sweet, crisp, tender, juicy, and melts in the mouth.

　　2. Physical and Chemical Indicators:

　　Item Indicator

　　Fruit transverse diameter (mm) 30～55

　　Soluble solids content (%) ≥14.0

　　Total acid content (%) ≤0.55

　　Edible rate (%) ≥70

　　Ash content (%) ≤0.5

　　Protein content (%) ≥0.8

　　3. Safety and other quality technical requirements: The product’s safety and other quality technical requirements must comply with relevant national regulations.