Yonghe Jujube

Yonghe Jujube

Yonghe Jujube is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Yonghe Jujube is a specialty of Yonghe County, Shanxi Province. Located in the northern temperate zone, Yonghe County is an ideal growing region for jujubes. Its unique environmental conditions result in Yonghe jujubes that are large, thin-skinned, small-seeded, sweet, pest-free, unpolluted, and pollution-free—qualities that make them highly popular among consumers. In 2011, it was approved by the National Ministry of Agriculture as a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Yonghe County, Shanxi Province, is located in the southwest of Shanxi, in the northwest corner of Linfen City, at the southern end of the Lüliang Mountains, adjacent to the Yellow River. It covers a total area of 1,219 square kilometers. The region enjoys a mild climate, abundant sunshine, clean air, large diurnal temperature variations, and long periods of high temperature and dryness. In terms of soil, the county is situated on the eastern bank of the middle reaches of the Yellow River in the Jin-Shaan Gorge, featuring deep loess parent material and sandy loam soil structure. - It is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization and one of the most suitable regions in China for growing jujubes, boasting over 2,000 years of jujube cultivation history. - The unique environmental conditions of Yonghe County produce jujubes that are large, thin-skinned, small-seeded, sweet, pest-free, unpolluted, and pollution-free—qualities that make them highly popular among consumers. - As a result, as early as the 7th to 10th centuries (Tang Dynasty), they were esteemed as tribute products. -

　　Product Honors

　　In the 1960s, the Premier issued an award to Yonghe County to encourage the development of jujube production. In 1993, Yonghe County was designated as a "Jujube Demonstration Base County" for famous, high-quality, and special products by the Agricultural Comprehensive Development Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Forestry. In 1996, it obtained the national Grade A Green Food certificate. Jujubes have become a local specialty and leading industry in Yonghe County. Among them, the main premium variety, Yonghe Jujube, is known for its small seeds, thin skin, thick flesh, sweetness, and pest-free qualities. In 1997, Yonghe Jujube was named one of the "Top Ten Famous Jujubes in Shanxi Province," and in 2000, it won the gold award at the "National Agricultural Products Expo." After 2008, it has been tested annually and certified by the Nanjing Guohuan Organic Product Certification Center. -

　　Production Situation

　　Yonghe County has a history of over 2,000 years of jujube cultivation. In 2005, Yonghe Organic Jujube Co., Ltd. established the Qiankun Bay Jujube Garden, covering 6,180 acres with 150,000 trees. After a three-year conversion period, Figure 2: Yonghe Jujube Planting Base

　　- The jujubes are planted, produced, and managed according to national organic standards. With the development of modern industry, the Yonghe jujube industry has also continued to grow. Various jujube-based snack foods produced through deep processing are very popular among people. - Following the strategic deployment of the "331" Special Agricultural Project in mountainous areas proposed by the municipal party committee and government, Yonghe County, based on its actual conditions, leverages its comparative advantages, responds to public demand, unites the efforts of all citizens, and mobilizes the strength of the entire county to vigorously promote the jujube industry as a means of enriching the people. According to statistics, by the end of 2007, the county's jujube planting area had reached 300,000 acres, with 9 million trees. Among these, Nanzhuang Township has 1.6 million trees over 57,000 acres; Dashiyao has 1.82 million trees over 65,000 acres; Gegedi Township has 2 million trees over 72,000 acres; Jiaokou Township has 1 million trees over 36,000 acres; Zhiqu Town has 400,000 trees over 15,000 acres; Potou Township has 85,000 trees over 3,000 acres; and Sangbi Town has 100,000 trees over 4,000 acres. On average, each farmer owns more than 150 trees, mainly distributed in the four townships along the western part of the county near the Yellow River. In terms of tree age structure, there are 6 million young trees under 10 years old and 3 million mature trees between 10 and 80 years old, with an annual jujube yield reaching 30 million pounds. 70% of the county’s farmers’ net income comes from the jujube industry. The main jujube variety cultivated in Yonghe is Yonghe Jujube, which accounts for over 70% of the planting area. Other varieties include Mu Jujube, Grey Jujube, Tuan Jujube, Jun Jujube, Pear Jujube, and Jin Jujube, among more than 40 varieties. Most of these jujube varieties are well-suited to growing in Yonghe and are of relatively high quality. According to statistics from the early 21st century, Yonghe County had over 8,400 households growing jujubes, accounting for more than 75% of the total number of households in the county. There are also over 150 part-time farming households. The total number of people engaged in the jujube industry in the county is 12,924, including 12,600 in cultivation and over 300 in processing and distribution. Nearly one-fifth of the population in Yonghe is involved in the jujube industry. -

　　Yonghe Jujube

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic indication area for Yonghe Jujube includes Yonghe County, Shanxi Province, covering 31 administrative villages across three townships: Dashiyao, Nanzhuang, and Gegedi. It extends north to Qianbeitou Village in Nanzhuang Township, west to Hehuili Village in Dashiyao Township, east to Zhiqu Town, and south to Fotang Village in Gegedi Township. The geographical coordinates are: 110°20′–110°40′ east longitude and 36°30′–36°55′ north latitude.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　Jujube fruits are relatively large, slightly tapered at the top, and cylindrical in shape, with small seeds and thick flesh. Each fruit weighs 18–20 grams. Mature fresh jujubes have a deep red skin with a glossy appearance. When the flesh is pulled apart, visible sugar threads can be seen—long and not easily broken—with a sweet, sugary aroma. Yonghe Jujube contains higher levels of nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, fats, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus compared to ordinary varieties.