Baoshan Sweet Persimmon

Baoshan Sweet Persimmon

The Baoshan Sweet Persimmon is a geographical indication certification trademark.

The Baoshan Sweet Persimmon is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　In 1976, Baoshan introduced the Jiro sweet persimmon. After years of domestication and cultivation, a variety well-suited to the local climate was selected and bred — the Baoshan Sweet Persimmon. It requires no pollinator trees, ripens early, produces large fruits with a glossy appearance, offers a sweet and crisp taste, shows strong resistance to environmental stress, and has high yield potential. In 1993, it was recognized as a high-quality fruit by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Agriculture. In 2006, the Baoshan Economic Crops Technology Extension Workstation compiled the local standard DB53/T195.1～10－2006 “Baoshan City Pollution-Free Sweet Persimmon Production Comprehensive Standard.” In 2007, it won the Premium Fruit Award at the 2nd China International Fruit & Vegetable Industry Expo, in 2008 it received the Silver Award for High-Quality Agricultural Products at the 4th Kunming International Agriculture Expo, in 2009 it was awarded one of the Top Ten High-Quality Products at the 4th National Symposium on Persimmon Production and Research, and in 2010 it claimed another spot in the Top Ten High-Quality Products at the 5th National Symposium on Persimmon Production and Research. The fruit sells well across the province and beyond, and is exported to Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia. Thanks to its unique natural environment, Baoshan Sweet Persimmons are early-bearing, high-yielding, and premium-quality. After years of domestication and cultivation, they have become a signature and competitive industry in Baoshan. The middle volume of the “Baoshan Regional Annals” records: “In 1976, Japanese sweet persimmons were introduced from Shandong and successfully trialed over the years, reaching a certain scale with some trees already bearing fruit. By 1990, the region had 2,000 acres of bearing trees, about 80,000 plants, producing 1.1 to 1.75 million kilograms of fresh fruit per year.” The “Yunnan Characteristic Agriculture,” published in 2003 by the Yunnan Science and Technology Department, listed sweet persimmons as a Yunnan specialty fruit. The section on specialty fruits states: “Since 1976, Baoshan City has introduced seven varieties of Japanese sweet persimmons from Shandong for demonstration planting. After more than 20 years of introduction, trials, demonstration, and promotion, a 13,000-acre commercial base has been established with an annual yield of 300,000 kilograms. Among the varieties, the Jiro sweet persimmon stands out as the best. It features large fruits, bright color, natural deastringency on the tree, and a sweet and crisp taste when eaten fresh, making it highly popular among consumers.” Professor Yamamura Hiroshi from Shimane University in Japan, accompanied by Professor Leng Ping from China Agricultural University and Tao Bang from the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, visited Baoshan to inspect sweet persimmon production. Professor Yamamura commented that in Japan and Korea, pollinator trees must be planted for good fruit set, but in Yunnan, especially Baoshan, the unique climate allows sweet persimmons to bear abundantly without them — a rare and unmatched advantage. In 2008, Dr. Gong Bangchu, China’s leading expert on persimmons and researcher at the Tropical Forestry Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, visited Baoshan and noted that Baoshan Sweet Persimmons are of excellent quality and flavor, ranking first in the nation. He added that the local climate is exceptionally suitable for sweet persimmon growth — a blessing bestowed upon the people of Baoshan. In 2009, Baoshan Yinghong Sweet Persimmon Development Co., Ltd. obtained pollution-free production area certification, and in 2010, the “Yuntianhong” brand received both pollution-free and organic food certifications.

　　Sweet persimmons are the most distinctive fruit of Baoshan. They naturally lose their astringency, are large and delicious, boast attractive colors, have crisp and refreshing flesh, and are easy to store and transport. The Baoshan Sweet Persimmon has been awarded a national geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Sweet persimmons are the most distinctive fruit of Baoshan. They naturally lose their astringency, are large and delicious, boast attractive colors, have crisp and refreshing flesh, and are easy to store and transport. Fresh fruits are available from late August to late October, especially the early and late-ripening varieties, which play an important role in easing supply shortages during off-peak fruit seasons. They can also be processed into many products with ease. With high nutritional value, commercial worth, and health and beauty benefits, their development potential is significant and market prospects are broad.

　　Baoshan City began cultivating sweet persimmons in 1976. Thanks to the great efforts of departments such as agriculture, forestry, and science & technology, as well as the many fruit growers, planting has expanded from scattered household plots to several acres of large-scale cultivation. Baoshan now has the largest sweet persimmon planting area in China, leading the nation in both production and output value. It has become one of the city’s most exported vegetables and fruits, with products sold to Beijing, Shanghai, and other locations, and exported to countries like Thailand and Vietnam. To promote the transition toward large-scale operation and standardized production, the city established the Sweet Persimmon Industry Association in 2007, facilitating healthy industrial development.

　　In 2013, the “Baoshan Sweet Persimmon” was recognized as a China National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Baoshan Sweet Persimmons are produced within Baoshan City, Yunnan Province. The production area covers 72 towns (sub-district offices) across five counties (districts): Longyang District, Shidian County, Tengchong County, Longling County, and Changning County. The geographical coordinates are between 98°25′–100°02′ east longitude and 24°08′–25°51′ north latitude, spanning 198 km from east to west and 193 km from north to south. The planting area is 20,000 hectares, with an annual output of 300,000 tonnes.