Northern Winter Jujube

Last updated 2026-11-16 — The jujube tree is a unique economic crop in China, with a cultivation history of over 4,000 years. With a calorie content per 100 grams similar to that of rice or wheat flour, it is often referred to as "woody grain." Statistics show that the current annual production of fresh jujubes in China is 650,000 tons. Over 85% of this is dried, and no more than 100,000 tons are sold as fresh fruit. Existing varieties such as Golden Silk Jujube, Pear Jujube, Apple Jujube, and Big Snow Jujube have a fresh supply period of only 20–30 days, which is far from meeting people’s demand for fresh jujubes. On the international market, the price of fresh jujubes is 300 times that of apples, with high demand. The Northern Winter Jujube, as a rare and premium fresh variety, has recently been developed by Chinese forestry scientists using modern tissue culture technology. Due to its large size, late ripening, sweet and crisp taste, and excellent storage and transport qualities, it is attracting widespread attention from industry professionals. The outstanding characteristics of the Northern Winter Jujube are mainly reflected in the following: (1) Thorn regression makes harvesting easier. The fruit is nearly round, weighing about 23 grams per piece, with a maximum weight of 30 grams, and does not crack. Thorn regression is largely complete after two years. (2) It is currently the highest-quality fresh jujube variety. The skin is bright crimson and thin, with crisp, tender, juicy flesh that is sweet and fragrant. It is extremely nutritious, with an edible rate of 93.81%. Analysis by the Beijing Nutrition Source Research Institute shows that winter jujubes contain 19 essential amino acids required by the human body, including aspartic acid, threonine, and serine, totaling 0.985 mg/100g. They also contain 1.65% protein, 2.3% dietary fiber, 27.3% total sugar, 0.26% total flavonoids, 0.87 mg/100g niacin, 1.1 mg/100g carotene, 0.1 mg/100g vitamin B1, 2.2 mg/100g vitamin B2, and especially high levels of vitamin C at 1.0791 g/kg—70 times that of apples, 100 times that of pears, and 20 times that of Golden Silk Jujube—earning it the reputation of a “living vitamin pill.” In addition, winter jujubes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, potassium, sodium, iron, copper, and other trace elements, offering anti-cancer benefits. Their nutritional value surpasses that of all other fruits, earning them the title of “king of fruits.” Winter jujubes are a unique and premium Chinese specialty with no recorded cultivation abroad. They hold a unique position in the domestic market and are now being sold in cities such as Qingdao, Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, as well as entering European and American markets, becoming an important fruit export for foreign exchange earnings. (3) Extremely late ripening. It matures from the end of September to the end of October. Due to its firm and crisp flesh, it can be refrigerated until around the Spring Festival for off-season sales. (4) High economic returns. Winter jujube dense plantations, planted at 2x3 meters or 3x4 meters spacing, typically bear fruit in the second year after spring planting, with yields reaching 500 kg per mu in the third year and income exceeding 10,000 yuan per mu. At peak production, yields can reach 2,000 kg per mu. The purchase price for Northern Winter Jujubes in 1999 was 30 yuan/kg at origin. After preservation and storage, market prices around the Spring Festival can reach 50 yuan/kg, with supply still unable to meet demand. (5) Strong adaptability. It tolerates drought, poor soil, and salinity, and can be planted anywhere wild jujubes grow. It is suitable for intercropping with grains or grafting onto wild jujube trees, and is also an ideal choice for developing courtyard economies. It is particularly well-suited for large-scale development on the Yellow River alluvial plains. Currently, the scaled cultivation, intensive management, and industrial development of Northern Winter Jujubes are being incorporated into comprehensive management plans for small watersheds, integrated mountain area development, and poverty alleviation programs in many counties and cities, showing very broad prospects for development. The Jiangbei Agricultural Hi-Tech Park will supply 200,000 winter jujube seedlings this year for the development of export-oriented planting bases, providing three years of technical guidance and taking responsibility for product sales. (Jiangbei)