Derong Shujiao (Tree Pepper)

Derong Tree Pepper

Derong Tree Pepper is a protected geographical indication product.

Derong Tree Pepper is a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　Shujiao is a unique, pollution-free, popular green food native to Derong County. It generally flowers and bears fruit in March, with green peppers harvested in April. The peppers gradually ripen in July and can be continuously picked until December, yielding about 800 kilograms per mu on average.

　　Derong Tree Pepper, also called "Shu Haizhi," is a specialty of Derong County, Sichuan Province, and a Chinese national geographical indication product. This variety of tree pepper has thin flesh and strong spiciness, which can stimulate appetite and strengthen the spleen. It is rich in vitamin E, calcium, selenium, vitamin C, and riboflavin, offering high health and medicinal value. It was once used in Tibetan medicine.

　　Because its trunk becomes woody, forming a small tree-like shape, it is commonly referred to as "Tree Pepper." It is a perennial plant. Initially introduced from India along with the spread of Tibetan Buddhism, it was later cultivated and selectively bred over a long period in the region's unique geographical and climatic environment, evolving into an original local variety of chili. In the first year, seeds are sown to grow seedlings, which are then transplanted. The plant flowers and bears fruit within the same year and can survive outdoors through winter without dying. Each spring, it sprouts anew, flowers, and produces fruit. The plant can grow several meters tall, with lanceolate leaves and short, horn-shaped fruits that come to a slight point at the tip. When mature, the fruits are bright golden yellow. The pepper has thin flesh and a strong spicy flavor, which helps stimulate appetite and invigorate the spleen. It was also used in Tibetan medicine, and the tree itself can live for over a hundred years.

　　Derong County is located in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River. Its unique geographical location and climatic conditions have made it a specialty area for "Tree Pepper." After a thousand years of genetic changes and long-term cultivation and selection, it has become an original local variety of chili in the county. However, due to economic factors, for several centuries before the 21st century, Tree Pepper grew only sporadically along the mountain valleys and edges of some rural areas. In 2002, Derong County began adjusting its agricultural industrial structure. After extensive research and scientific evaluation, Tree Pepper was selected as one of the economic crops to be promoted for cultivation in suitable areas. Local farmers were encouraged to plant it. In 2003, many villagers from other townships in Derong County also began planting Tree Pepper. That year, the planting area reached 30 mu. By 2005, Tree Pepper had expanded beyond Derong County and was successfully sold in surrounding county markets. The price of Tree Pepper began to rise from 3 yuan per kilogram back up to 4 yuan. To strengthen the brand, in May 2006, after rigorous certification, Derong Tree Pepper was granted protected geographical indication status by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China. Coupled with the continuous development of surrounding sales markets, branded Derong Tree Pepper began to rise in the domestic market, being exported to cities such as Shanghai and Guangzhou. That year, the price of Derong Tree Pepper rose from 4 yuan per kilogram to 10 yuan, giving each planting household an additional profit of at least 2,000 yuan. The brand effect and rising market prices brought tangible benefits to local Tree Pepper growers. From initial reluctance to sporadic planting, then from reluctance amid sparse cultivation to voluntary planting, the scale of Tree Pepper cultivation began to rapidly expand in suitable local areas. By 2007, the planting area in the county reached over 200 mu, with production of around 75 tons—still in short supply. In 2008, the Tree Pepper planting area in Derong County reached over 750 mu. Calculated at 750 kilograms per mu, the county’s Tree Pepper production was approximately 562.5 tons. By 2010, Tree Pepper cultivation in Derong had become large-scale, with five townships and towns establishing dedicated Tree Pepper planting bases.

　　In accordance with the "Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products," the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China organized a review of the application for the protection of Derong Tree Pepper as a geographical indication product. Upon passing the review, it was approved that protection of Derong Tree Pepper as a geographical indication product would be implemented starting from April 26, 2006.

　　Protection Scope

　　The protection scope of the Derong Tree Pepper geographical indication product is based on the area proposed in the "Explanation on the Planting Region for the Protection of the Derong Tree Pepper Geographical Indication Product" (Defu [2005] No. 104) issued by the People’s Government of Derong County, Sichuan Province. It covers the administrative regions of nine townships in Derong County: Zigeng Township, Guxue Township, Quyagong Township, Rilong Township, Xulong Township, Gongbo Township, Barixiang Township, Bondou Township, and Songmai Town.