Panzhihua Loquats

Panzhihua Loquats

Panzhihua loquats are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Panzhihua loquats are grown in areas of Panzhihua City at altitudes between 1,300 and 1,700 meters. The fruit comes to market around New Year’s Day and during the Spring Festival, making it a popular specialty agricultural product during the holiday season. The main varieties produced are large-fruited types such as "Zaozhong No. 6" and "Da Wuxing." Panzhihua loquats are large in size, oval or oblong in shape, with orange-yellow skin, dense and fine dots, smooth surface, rich in fruit powder and fuzz, with very little rust, and an average single fruit weight of about 50g, up to a maximum of 160g. The fruit is known for its fine flesh texture, abundant juice, richly sweet flavor with a slight acidity, and strong overall taste. The city has 30,000 acres of loquat orchards, producing 7,800 tons of fruit. Three large-scale loquat production bases have been established, each covering 10,000 acres, located in Bajiaoqing Village and Caochang in Binggu Town, Miyi County, and in the Ertan Reservoir area of Yanbian County. There is also one standardized production demonstration garden recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2005, "Panzhihua Loquats" were awarded the certificate for "Grade A Green Food." In 2010, "Panzhihua Loquats" were granted geographical indication protection as an agricultural product by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected area for Panzhihua loquats includes 44 towns and townships across the following regions: in Miyi County—Binggu Town, Baima Town, Panlian Town, Wanqiu Township, Xinsan Township, Salian Town, Yakou Town, Deshi Town, Puwei Town, Baipo Township, Caochang Township, and Malong Township; in Yanbian County—Yumen Town, Huimin Township, Yongxing Town, Guosheng Township, GanYu Township, Tongzilin Town, Hongge Town, Xinjiu Township, He’ai Township, Yimin Township, Hongguo Township, Hongbao Township, Qinghe Township, Wenquan Township, Gesala Township, and Gonghe Township; in Renhe District—Zongfa Township, Taiping Township, Zhongba Township, Dalongtan Township, Wuben Township, Ala Township, Bude Town, Tongde Town, Qianjin Town, Futian Town, Pingdi Town, Jinjiang Town, Datian Town, and Renhe Town; in Xiqu—Geliping Town; and in Dongqu—Yinjiang Town. These span from Wanqiu Township in the east to Pingdi Town in the south, Wenquan Township in the west, and Hongbao Township in the north. The geographical coordinates are 101°08′ to 102°15′ east longitude and 26°05′ to 27°21′ north latitude. The protected area for Panzhihua loquats covers 7,300 hectares, with an annual yield of 50,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Panzhihua loquats are large in size, oval or oblong in shape, with orange-yellow skin, dense and fine dots, a smooth surface, covered in fruit powder, with very little rust, and thin skin. The flesh is thick, orange-yellow, fine-textured, juicy, sweet with a slight acidity, rich in flavor, and contains 3–5 seeds. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Panzhihua loquats have a soluble solids content of ≥10% and an edible rate of ≥70%. (3) Safety Requirements: They meet the standards of DB510400/T003-2002 "Quality and Safety Standards for Pollution-Free Agricultural Products."