Malong Apples

Malong Apples

Malong Apples are a product with geographical indication.

　　Malong Apples are the most widely planted and earliest cultivated variety among local farmers in Malong County. According to the Records of Eastern Yunnan’s Scenic Spots and Local Products: In 1954, Xie Xingfang, the then Party Secretary of Malong County, introduced apple varieties such as Xu, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Ralls Janet from Shandong for trial planting, which proved successful. This marked the end of the era when "bayberries were considered fruit" in Malong. In 1973, with the introduction of new apple varieties, the planting area expanded year by year, and Malong County was designated by Yunnan Province as a “High-Quality Apple Export Production Base.” In 1995, the Agricultural Bureau introduced varieties such as Royal Gala and Tieton No.1 from Japan and New Zealand, further expanding apple cultivation. As a result, Malong County was once again designated by Yunnan Province as an “Early-Ripening Apple Production Base.” In 2000, Malong County joined China's Modern Apple Industry System, introducing over 30 apple varieties from both domestic and international sources, greatly enriching the varietal resources of Malong Apples. Malong Apples are beloved by consumers for their early ripening, large fruit size, smooth and delicate skin, glossy appearance, fine and sweet flesh, juicy and seedless texture, moderate firmness, fragrant taste, and rich nutritional content including Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and pectin. Currently, they are in high demand and supply is insufficient to meet market needs. Malong County has vigorously developed its fruit industry, represented by apples, based on natural conditions such as geographical location, climate, soil, and altitude. The production scale has expanded year by year, economic benefits have become increasingly apparent, and farmers’ incomes have risen steadily. The development of the fruit industry has become another highlight of agricultural economic growth and farmers’ prosperity in the county.

　　Based on natural conditions such as geographical location, climate, soil, and altitude, Malong County has vigorously developed its fruit industry, represented by apples. The production scale has expanded year by year, economic benefits have become increasingly apparent, and farmers’ incomes have risen steadily. The development of the fruit industry has become another highlight of agricultural economic growth and farmers’ prosperity in the county.

　　Currently, the apple planting area in Malong County reaches 24,200 mu, with an annual output of 11 million kilograms and a production value of 19.5 million yuan. This year, the county has completed the renovation of 500 mu of low-yield apple orchards, promoted high-light-efficiency demonstration projects across 1,500 mu, established 4,800 mu of high-yield model plots, and bagged 6 million fruits. The county has one fruit industry association and one enterprise. Through the introduction, demonstration, and promotion of new technologies, the county has been awarded two national modern agricultural industry demonstration bases by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance. The brand effect of Malong Apples has gradually emerged. While strengthening the brand effect, efforts have also been made to enhance the modern apple industry technology system. In January 2009, the county joined the National Modern Apple Industry Technology System, becoming one of the seven counties in the province to do so. The county has intensified research, demonstration, and promotion of key technologies for transforming low-efficiency apple orchards; apple dwarf rootstock cultivation techniques; the introduction, experimentation, and promotion of early-ripening apple varieties; and innovative industrial development strategies. Efforts have also focused on research and development related to apple bonsai and fruit potted plants. Quality and safety have been prioritized. Continuous improvement has been made in the safety of agricultural products, and active progress has been achieved in establishing pollution-free standardized demonstration bases. By promoting key technologies such as soil testing and formulated fertilization, yellow sticky traps, insect-attracting lamps, integrated water and fertilizer management, and ecological agriculture, fruit quality and safety have been effectively ensured. Technical guidance and services have also been strengthened. Every effort has been made to address practical issues faced by fruit farmers during production. Technical guidance and training have been enhanced, and fruit bagging and fruit-labeling techniques have been promoted, along with post-harvest packaging, further improving fruit quality and grade, and increasing farmers’ returns. The promotion and application of new technologies have also been emphasized. Cultivation techniques such as high-light-efficiency technology, drooping branch fruiting technology, simplified pruning technology, labor-saving flower and fruit management technology, and soil-fertilizer-water management technology have been integrated, along with the application of advanced and practical machinery.

　　This year, a team of pest and disease control experts from the Yunnan Experimental Station of China’s Industrial System and Han Mingyu, Chief Scientist of China’s Apple Industry Technology System, conducted research on the apple industry in Malong. Their visit will significantly boost the future development of the apple industry in the region, and “Malong Apples” are poised for great success.

　　Malong Apples

　　 Geographic Scope

　　Malong Apples are produced in Malong County, Qujing City, Yunnan Province. The planting areas cover eight townships: Tongquan Town, Wangjiazhuang Town, Yuewang Township, Maguohe Town, Jiuxian Town, Maming Township, — Township, and Nazhang Town. Geographic coordinates are between 103°16'—103°45' east longitude and 25°08'—25°37' north latitude. The region spans 44.5 km from north to south and 47.25 km from east to west. The total apple planting area is 2,000 hectares, with an annual output of 30,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Quality Characteristics: Early-ripening Malong Apples are round and well-shaped, while late-ripening ones are slightly flat and less uniform in shape. The fruit skin is bright red and glossy, with high sugar content and strong aroma. The flesh is delicate, sweet, crisp, seedless, juicy, and rich in nutrients. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Malong Apples feature high sugar content, delicate flesh, intense sweetness, juiciness without seeds, moderate hardness, and a fragrant taste. The fruit hardness is ≥4 (kg/cm²), soluble solids content is ≥15.0%, total sugar content is ≥13.0%, potassium is ≥0.4%, calcium is ≥35% (mg/kg), iron is ≥3% (mg/kg), zinc is ≥0.2% (mg/kg), total amino acid content is ≥0.85%, making them highly nutritious. (3) Safety Requirements: The production environment for Malong Apples complies with the NY5013-2006 Standard for Pollution-Free Food – Environmental Conditions for Forest and Fruit Product Origins. Product quality meets the NY5011-2006 Standard for Pollution-Free Food – Pome Fruit Quality. The production process follows the NY/T5012-2002 Technical Regulations for Pollution-Free Apple Production.