Xichou Bayberries

Xichou Bayberries

　　Xichou Bayberries are a specialty of Xichou County, Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The bayberry varieties planted in Xichou include Dongkui, Black Charcoal, and Ding’ao. The main growing areas are Xisha Town, Jijie Township, and Xingjie Town.

　　Since 1998, after successfully trial-planting 460 acres of the three varieties—Dongkui, Black Charcoal, and Ding’ao—in the Wachang Forest Area of Xisha Town, Xichou County seized the opportunity presented by national policies such as the Conversion of Cropland to Forests Program, interest-subsidized loans for forest farmers, and policy-based insurance, along with strong local enthusiasm for bayberry cultivation, to scale up production. The county subsequently established large-scale bayberry plantations in the low-heat river valley regions of Xisha Town, Jijie Township, and Xingjie Town.

　　To date, Xichou County has developed over 4,000 acres of bayberry plantations, with nearly 2,000 acres now in regular fruit-bearing stages. The county produces approximately 80 tons of high-quality bayberries annually, generating a value of up to 1.6 million yuan. These bayberries are exported to cities such as Beijing and Kunming, making them an excellent gift for distant relatives and esteemed friends.