Pingle Shatian Pomelo

Pingle Shatian Pomelo

　　　Pingle County is situated in the mid-subtropical monsoon climate zone, characterized by short winters, long summers, mild weather, ample sunlight, and rich rainfall. The average annual sunshine duration ranges from 1,414 to 2,094 hours, and the average annual rainfall from 1,355 to 1,865 millimeters. The frost-free period lasts over 310 days, making it highly suitable for the cultivation of various grain and cash crops. The county has a total of 334,700 mu (approximately 22,313 hectares) of arable land, primarily growing rice, and is abundant in Shatian pomelos, moon persimmons, citrus fruits, early-ripening chestnuts, ramie, flue-cured tobacco, sugarcane, red melon seeds, cassava, as well as timber such as pine and fir, along with forest products including wood ear mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms.

　　Pingle County is one of the key regions in Guangxi for Shatian pomelo production. The Pingle Shatian pomelo has a long history of cultivation in the area and was once an imperial tribute. The pomelo is grown on 30,000 mu of land in Pingle, with an annual yield of 50,000 tons. Its production standards are among the best in China. The fruit is pear-shaped or gourd-shaped, with a smooth rind that has oil glands, an orange-yellow hue, and a “money seal” mark at the top. The flesh is crystal-clear, crisp, tender, juicy, and richly fragrant with a sweet taste. The fruit is also highly resistant to storage, and its flavor becomes even more intense after keeping, earning it the reputation of being a “natural canned fruit.”

　　At the China International Forestry Industry Expo and the fifth edition of the “2008 Olympic Recommended Fruits Selection,” Pingle County’s Shatian pomelos won four prestigious honors: first prize for Olympic recommended fruits, Olympic fruits recommendation award, gold award at the China Forestry Expo, and the title of China Famous Fruit.