Yunyang Red Orange

Yunyang Red Orange

Yunyang Red Orange is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Yunyang Red Orange is a red-fleshed variety of navel orange. The fruit is spherical in shape, with an average weight of 150–250 grams per piece. Its surface is smooth and deep orange in color, with a thin peel and 11–12 carpels. The edible rate is 75%, juice content is 47%, and soluble solids content ranges from 11–15%. The ripening period is from early February to early March. The flesh of the red-fleshed navel orange is dense, crisp, and tender, juicy, with a sweet and tangy flavor that is refreshingly pleasant. When fully ripe, it develops a rose-like aroma, indicating superior quality.

　　Located in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir area in northeastern Chongqing, Yunyang has a long history of citrus cultivation. As early as the Han Dynasty, the region was known for its abundant citrus production. The *Yunyang County Annals* from the Republican era recorded: “The land has long produced oranges, which flourished especially during the Han Dynasty, prompting the establishment of official oversight—though production has since declined significantly…” From 1949 to 2000, citrus production went through phases as a sideline, specialty crop, and eventually large-scale farming, with citrus income ranking third after grain and hogs. In recent years, through the promotion of standardized citrus cultivation, Yunyang Red Orange has expanded to cover 30,000 mu (about 2,000 hectares) across the county, with an annual output of 10,000 tons. The cultivation scale and yield of this variety rank first in Chongqing Municipality. The growing scale of Yunyang Red Orange cultivation has gradually established its unique quality and strong market competitiveness.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical scope of Yunyang Red Orange lies between 108°27’50” and 109°12’39” east longitude, and 30°39’36” and 31°21’09” north latitude. The production area stretches from Guling Town in the east to Bayang Town in the west, Longjiao Town in the south, and Jiangkou Town in the north. It covers the one river and three stream basins within Yunyang County: the Yangtze River basin including Bayang Town, Renhe Town, Panlong Town, Shuangjiang Subdistrict, Qixia Town, Yunyang Town, and Guling Town; the Pengxi River basin including Yanglu Township, Shuanglong Town, Gaoyang Town, and Huangshi Town; the Modaoxi River basin including Longjiao Town, Boping Town, Pu’an Township, and Xinjin Township; and the Tangxi River basin including Jiangkou Town and Nanxi Town—totaling 17 towns and subdistricts. The cultivation zone is located at elevations below 400 meters. The total production area of Yunyang Red Orange spans 100,000 mu, with an annual output of 150,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Appearance: Yunyang Red Orange fruits are spherical and medium-sized, with a deep orange peel that is thin and smooth. The flesh is uniformly red, dense, crisp, and tender, juicy, with a sweet and tangy flavor and a rose-like aroma. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Yunyang Red Orange has an edible rate of ≥65%, soluble solids content of ≥12.1%, vitamin C (mg/100ml) of ≥44.2, total acid (g/100ml) of ≤0.8, and a solid-acid ratio of ≥16.0. 3. Safety Requirements: The product complies with the standards set forth in the *Pollution-Free Citrus Fruits* (NY5014-2005) regulation.