Dongpo Pickles

Dongpo Pickles

Dongpo Pickles are a protected geographical indication product.

　　Dongpo Pickles, also known as pickled sour vegetables, are a specialty of Dongpo District in Meishan City, Sichuan Province, and a nationally recognized geographical indication product. They are a typical example of Sichuan pickles, characterized by their salty-tangy taste, crisp texture, vibrant color, and enticing aroma. They are appetizing, refreshing, good for sobering up, and cutting through richness, making them suitable for people of all ages and enjoyable year-round. Dongpo Pickles are a well-known side dish in Sichuan, China.

　　　Dongpo District in Meishan City, Sichuan Province, is known as the “Hometown of Chinese Pickles.” The craft of pickle-making has been practiced in the region for over 1,500 years. Located on the southwestern edge of the Chengdu Plain in Sichuan, along the middle reaches of the Min River, the area was historically known as Meizhou and is the birthplace of the famous Northern Song Dynasty literary figures Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Zhe. In the hometown of Su Dongpo, pickles are commonly referred to as “sour vegetables.” Not only did Su Dongpo himself enjoy eating pickles, but he also made them by hand. Throughout history, nearly every household in the urban and rural areas around Dongpo’s hometown has been able to make pickles. As a result, the district is honored as the “Hometown of Chinese Pickles.”

　　Geographic Environment

　　　　Dongpo District in Meishan City lies along the middle reaches of the Min River, blessed with abundant rainfall, fertile land, mild summers, and not-too-cold winters. This environment is ideal for cultivating pollution-free root vegetables, cabbages, mustard greens, and similar produce, providing both the favorable climate and high-quality raw materials necessary for pickle processing.

　　Industry Development

　　　　Dongpo Pickles began transitioning from home production to factory-based manufacturing in the 1980s, and the industry has since grown rapidly. In 2005, the region pioneered the initiative to establish itself as the “Hometown of Chinese Pickles,” allowing Dongpo Pickles to compete in the national market under a unified identity. In 2006, the city promoted five pickle products to receive China’s Well-Known Trademark status, marking a breakthrough in national-level branding. In 2009, the municipal Party committee and government issued the “Decision on Vigorously Promoting the Development of the Pickle Industry,” setting the ambitious goal of creating a pickle industry that is “first-class in China and internationally renowned.” The district developed the China Sichuan Pickle Industrial Park along Provincial Highway 103 and within the Eastern Section of the Meishan Economic Development Zone. Following this aggressive development strategy, Meishan’s pickle industry saw explosive growth—from annual sales revenue of less than 100 million yuan at the beginning of the 21st century to over 3 billion yuan in 2010. This remarkable tenfold increase in just a decade, dubbed the “Meishan Speed,” elevated Meishan to the position of Sichuan’s leading production base, core hub, and pioneer in the pickle industry.

　　Geographic Indication Product Protection

　　　　In 2009, after review by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, it was decided to implement national geographical indication product protection for Dongpo Pickles.

　　Production Area Scope

　　　　The protected geographical indication area for Dongpo Pickles covers the entire administrative region of Dongpo District, Meishan City, Sichuan Province.