Shilin Sweet Persimmon

Shilin Sweet Persimmon

Shilin Sweet Persimmon is a product with a geographical indication.

　　As a uniquely Eastern small fruit, sweet persimmon is highly popular among consumers at home and abroad for its attractive appearance, unique flavor, high nutritional value, and health benefits. It is also favored by producers for its wide adaptability, small cultivation area, ease of cultivation, low production costs, vast market potential, strong export earnings capacity, high yield, and good economic returns. However, domestic development has been very slow, and the export market for sweet persimmon remains dominated by Japan.

　　In 1988 and 1989, our county began introducing 21 persimmon varieties from the Shaanxi Fruit Research Institute and the Nagano Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station in Japan. After over a decade of experimentation and demonstration, the Jiro variety was selected for promotion, and the product won a silver award at the '99 World Horticultural Exposition. Sweet persimmons begin flowering three years after planting, start producing fruit in the fourth year, and reach full production in 5–6 years, with yields exceeding 2,000 kilograms per mu. The wholesale price at origin ranges from 3–6 yuan, yielding a per-mu output value of 6,000–12,000 yuan. High-quality fruits can fetch 6–10 yuan per kilogram at origin, with a per-mu output value of 12,000–20,000 yuan. The variety was prioritized by the county committee and government as a key project for agricultural restructuring, increasing farmers' income, and building a new socialist countryside. By 2007, the total area under sweet persimmon cultivation in the county reached 15,200 mu. During production, standardized practices were actively promoted, and applications were made for organic and green product certifications. Due to the superior quality and safety of Shilin’s sweet persimmons, they gained recognition from distributors and consumers. In 2006, in addition to being sold across major cities nationwide, the product entered the international market for the first time and received high praise. To advance the industrialization of sweet persimmons, the government increased support for leading enterprises and cooperative economic organizations in the sector. These entities provided farmers with comprehensive services, including seedling supply, agricultural inputs, technical support, market development, sales, and the research and development of related products such as sweet persimmon wine, jam, and persimmon leaf tea. This effectively boosted the development of the sweet persimmon industry and increased farmers' incomes.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Shilin Sweet Persimmon is produced within Shilin County, Yunnan Province, covering seven towns and one township: Lufu Town, Shilin Town, Lumeyi Town, Banqiao Town, Changhu Town, Xijiekou Town, Guishan Town, and Dake Township. Its geographical coordinates are: 103°10′–103°41′ east longitude, 24°30′–25°03′ north latitude, stretching 58.8 kilometers from north to south and 51.3 kilometers from east to west, with a total area of 1,719 square kilometers. The lowest elevation is 1,530 meters, and the highest peak reaches 2,601 meters. Shilin Sweet Persimmon is grown across all seven towns and one township in the county.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Natural Ecological Environment: The soil in the production area of Shilin Sweet Persimmon is mainly red soil and yellow-brown soil, with a pH of 5.5–7.0, slightly acidic, loose, breathable, and well-drained. Located on a low-latitude plateau, the area features a low-latitude plateau monsoon climate, with no severe cold in winter, no intense heat in summer, distinct dry and wet seasons, and spring-like weather all year round. Annual sunshine totals 2,339 hours, with a sunshine rate of 53%. The average annual temperature is 16.6°C, and average annual rainfall is 949.6 millimeters, with a frost-free period of 252 days.

　　(2) Hydrological Conditions: The rivers in Shilin County belong to the Pearl River system, specifically the Nanpan River basin. The Ba River and Pula River within the county are tributaries of the Nanpan River, while the Dake River, Maliao River, Jiwan River, and Xi River are tributaries of the Ba River. Smaller water sources such as Muwazi, Luhua, Bamao, Zichi, Xijiekou, Songziyuan, Luxincun, Dashao, and Shuiwei flow into the main course of the Nanpan River. The total water resources in the county amount to 566 million cubic meters, including 248 million cubic meters of groundwater and 318 million cubic meters of surface water. The usable water resources total 275.9 million cubic meters, comprising 188.7 million cubic meters of surface water and 87.2 million cubic meters of groundwater, with an actual available water volume of 113 million cubic meters. The county has 230 reservoirs, lakes, and ponds, including two medium-sized reservoirs, 16 small (Type I) reservoirs, 80 small (Type II) reservoirs, and 132 small ponds, with a total storage capacity of 98.96 million cubic meters.

　　(3) Climate Conditions: Located on a low-latitude plateau, Shilin County experiences a low-latitude plateau monsoon climate with distinct dry and wet seasons. The dry season spans the first half of the year (November to April), while the wet season covers the second half (May to October). The area enjoys "no severe cold in winter, no intense heat in summer, distinct dry and wet seasons, and spring-like weather throughout the year." Annual sunshine totals 2,339 hours, with a sunshine rate of 53%. The average annual temperature is 16.6°C, with July being the hottest month at an average of 22.7°C and January the coldest at 12.3°C. Extreme highs reach 33.6°C, and extreme lows drop to -8.9°C. Average annual rainfall is 949.6 millimeters, with 88% concentrated between May and October. Average annual evaporation is 2,097.7 millimeters. The frost-free period lasts 252 days. The annual accumulated temperature above 10°C is 4,814.6°C, and the average annual rainfall is 1.6 billion cubic meters.

　　(4) Humanistic History: The earliest historical record of persimmon cultivation in Shilin is found in the *Lunan Prefecture Local Chronicles*, Volume 9, *Industry, Produce, and Commerce*: "In the 30th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, Governor Ding and Provincial Governor Lin distributed mulberry seedlings for planting, which had already begun to yield fruit. In the distant mountains, there are hemp seeds, pines, chestnuts, and pear trees, but few remain beyond local needs. Fruits such as pomegranates, persimmons, walnuts, chestnuts, pears, apricots, peaches, plums, and Sichuan peppercorns are well-suited to the local conditions, but due to lack of cultivation knowledge, their production remains limited." Between 1988 and 1989, 12 sweet persimmon varieties were introduced from the Nagano Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station in Japan and the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, with the Jiro and Fuyu varieties selected as suitable for local cultivation. The main variety, Jiro, won a silver award at the 1999 Kunming World Horticultural Exposition's "Indoor Vegetables and Fruits Evaluation," as well as silver and gold awards at the first and second Kunming International Agricultural Expositions, respectively. The fruit sells well across the province and beyond, with some exports to ASEAN countries and New Zealand.

　　Typical Quality Characteristics and Quality Safety Standards of Shilin Sweet Persimmon

　　(1) Appearance Quality: The fruit is flat and square-shaped, with a slightly concave top, clear vertical grooves, a prominent cross-shaped groove at the stem end, smooth and delicate skin with a glossy sheen and abundant bloom. When fully ripe, it turns orange-red, with a large, flat calyx and short, thick stems. Each fruit weighs 150–250 grams.

　　(2) Internal Quality: The fruit naturally deastringes on the tree. The flesh is yellow-red, crisp, and sweet, with an average hardness greater than 5.5 kg/cm², sugar content exceeding 11%, and vitamin C content over 20 mg per 100 grams of fresh fruit. The fruit is typically seedless or has very few seeds.

　　(3) Safety Requirements: Shilin Sweet Persimmon complies with the safety indicators of the Chinese agricultural industry standard *Pollution-Free Food Persimmon* (NY5241-2004). Packaging and labeling meet the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture’s *Administrative Measures for Agricultural Product Packaging and Labeling*. Market entry follows the relevant provisions of the *Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law*.

　　Packaging, Labeling, and Related Regulations for Shilin Sweet Persimmon

　　(1) Labeling: Products must have clear labeling, including the product name, variety name, product standards, origin, net weight, and packaging date. The text must be legible, complete, and accurate. Label users must display the words "Shilin Sweet Persimmon" and the public agricultural product geographical indication logo on their products or packaging.

　　(2) Packaging: Layered cardboard packaging is used. Packaging materials must be free of unpleasant odors and comply with NY/T 658 and national food packaging hygiene standards. Packaging containers must be tightly sealed, with no damage or leakage.

　　(3) Transportation: Transport vehicles must be clean, hygienic, and free of contamination. Transport with toxic, harmful, corrosive, or odorous goods is strictly prohibited.

　　(4) Storage: Store in clean, hygienic, light-proof, room-temperature, dry conditions with moisture-proof and rodent-proof facilities. Mixing with other toxic, harmful, corrosive, or odorous substances is strictly prohibited.