Kaixian Jincheng Oranges

Kaixian Jincheng Oranges

Kaixian Jincheng Oranges are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Jincheng oranges, also known as Goose Egg Tangerine No. 26, originated in Jiangjin, Chongqing, China. They were selected from local sweet orange seedlings in the 1940s as an outstanding mutation. Key characteristics: robust tree vigor, rounded crown shape, and relatively open tree posture; branches are strong, flexible, and have small thorns—especially dense on summer and autumn shoots—with long elliptical leaves; fruits are long and oval-shaped, resembling goose eggs. The fruit is large, averaging about 170 grams per piece, with orange-red or deep orange, glossy, and moderately smooth rind of medium thickness; the flesh is fine, tender, and easy to separate, with balanced sweetness and acidity, rich flavor, abundant juice, and a slight aroma. The edible rate of the fruit is 74%–75%, juice content 46%–50%, acid content 0.7–1.1 grams per 100 milliliters, and there are about six seeds on average. The quality is premium, suitable for fresh consumption and also for processing into juice. The juice has an orange-yellow color and good heat stability. The oranges generally mature in late November.

　　Kaixian Jincheng Oranges have been awarded titles such as “High-Quality Agricultural Product” and “Famous-Brand Agricultural Product” multiple times. The Yukaipai brand of Jincheng oranges has also obtained national green food certification. Their excellent quality has led to broad market prospects—not only supplying the domestic market but also being exported to more than 10 regions and countries including Hong Kong (China) and Russia. This has attracted increased investment from both domestic and international merchants: the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization invested $1.2 million to establish a 4-hectare improved seedling garden, upgrade 300 hectares of orchards, build storage and turnover facilities, and introduce automated processing lines for a complete post-harvest commercial handling system for Jincheng oranges; the Macau-based Galaxy Group officially signed a contract to sell 5,000 tons of Jincheng oranges.

　　Kaixian is using technology to build itself into “China’s No. 1 Jincheng Orange County,” having established production bases in 20 townships and developed over 50 varieties of high-quality, unique, and new cultivars. Thanks to their fine quality, the market outlook is promising, and currently, Kaixian Jincheng Oranges are exported to more than 10 regions and countries including Hong Kong (China) and Russia.

　　Although Kaixian has a history of citrus cultivation spanning over a thousand years, previously the industry suffered from weak foundations, small scale, low per-unit yield, poor economies of scale, and limited appeal to outside merchants and enterprises. In 2003, the county proposed the strategic goal of using technology to build “China’s No. 1 Jincheng Orange County.” After years of scientific research, experimentation, and demonstration, the county has now formed an integrated structure of “three gardens in one”: high-quality fruit nurseries, improved seedling gardens, and high-yield demonstration gardens. Production bases have been established in 20 townships centered around Changsha Town, and over 50 varieties of high-quality, unique, and new cultivars—including Jincheng and Summer oranges—have been introduced and promoted.

　　As an outstanding variety among oranges, Kaixian Jincheng Oranges have established a clear brand advantage.

　　In 1978, Kaixian Jincheng Orange 72-1 won the Third Prize for Major Scientific and Technological Achievements in Sichuan Province. Since then, this variety topped the Jincheng orange category in the National Citrus Evaluation for four consecutive years.

　　From 1985 to 1989, Kaixian Jincheng Oranges were awarded the “High-Quality Agricultural Product” prize by the Ministry of Agriculture twice; in 1995, they won a gold award at the Third National Agricultural Expo.

　　In 1999, with approval from the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, Kaixian registered the “Yukaipai” series trademark for high-quality Jincheng oranges. At the 1999 China International Agricultural Expo, “Yukaipai” Jincheng oranges were honored as a “Famous-Brand Product”; in 2000, they were named a Chongqing Famous Fruit. In 2001, the “Yukaipai” Jincheng oranges became the first brand to receive the National Green Food Label Certificate. These accolades have made “Yukaipai” Jincheng oranges widely renowned both in China and abroad. Since the 1990s, Kaixian Jincheng Oranges have entered international markets, being sold to more than 10 regions and countries including Hong Kong and Russia. Their superior quality has impressed experts worldwide. After tasting Kaixian Jincheng oranges, UN citrus development expert Stafford gave them a thumbs-up, saying, “I’ve never seen such fine fruit in China before.” In 1989, Zhang Wencai, then president of the International Society of Citriculture and a professor at Huazhong Agricultural University, visited Kaixian and spoke highly of the oranges. In September 2003, South African citrus expert Intley, invited by Chongqing Henghe Fruit Industry Co., Ltd., visited Kaixian accompanied by officials from the Chongqing Agriculture Bureau, Macau Henghe Company, and Guangdong Xiangguo Fruit Company to inspect citrus production. He also spoke glowingly of the quality of Kaixian Jincheng oranges.

　　The production area of Kaixian Jincheng Oranges lies between 108°08′–108°34′ east longitude and 30°55′–31°18′ north latitude. It borders Chengkou County to the north, Wuxi County and Yunyang County to the east, Wanzhou District to the south, and Xuanhan County and Kaijiang County of Sichuan Province to the west, covering a total area of 3,959 square kilometers with 66,112 hectares of arable land. Perhaps by nature’s design, the shape of Kaixian on the map resembles a Jincheng orange leaf. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, characterized by “six parts mountain, three parts hills, and one part plain.” Especially in the three river valley areas—the Puluo valleys including Changsha Town, Nanmen Town, Zhaojia Town, Yuexi Town, and Qukou Town in the Pulo direction; the Jiangluo valleys including Zhendong Subdistrict, Dade Township, Zhuxi Town, Linjiang Town, and Zhonghe Town in the Jiangluo direction; and the Dongluo valleys including Fengle Subdistrict, Guojia Town, Baihe Subdistrict, Houba Town, and Jinfeng Township in the Dongluo direction—there are 15 townships, towns, and subdistricts at elevations of 175–550 meters, with an average annual temperature of 18.5°C, making it the most suitable region for Jincheng orange production.