Qingtongxia Chili

Qingtongxia Chili

Qingtongxia Chili is an agricultural product with geographical indication status.

　　Qingtongxia Chili is an agricultural product with geographical indication status. It is produced in Qingtongxia City, Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The chili is rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, magnesium, and potassium; its capsaicin also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Among vegetables, the chili’s vitamin C content ranks first.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Qingtongxia Chili is mainly grown in the Ye Sheng and Xiao Ba towns of Qingtongxia City, covering a total production area of 2,000 hectares. Qingtongxia City is located in the central part of the Yellow River irrigation area on the Ningxia Plain, between 105°21′–106°21′ east longitude and 37°36′–38°15′ north latitude, with an average elevation of 1,121 meters. It stretches 29.6 kilometers from north to south and averages 3.2 kilometers in width from east to west. The city extends from Qingtongxia Town in the south to Shao Gang Town in the north, bordering Lijun Town of Yongning County, and connects with Ren Cun of Yongning County via Ye Sheng Town. To the east lies the central axis of the Yellow River, and to the west are National Highways 109 and 110 along the mountain roads, with the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway running north-south and the Shi Zhong and Qing Wu Ling expressways traversing east-west. The annual total yield is 90,000 tons.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: Qingtongxia City is situated in the central part of the Yellow River irrigation area on the Ningxia Plain, featuring flat terrain. The soil is primarily composed of Yellow River silt sediment, saline-alkali soil, and red sandy soil, including 296,000 mu of silt sediment, 46,000 mu of saline-alkali soil, and 84,000 mu of red sandy soil. The average soil pH is 8.54, and the average organic matter content is 14.9. The soil is fertile, deep, and nutrient-rich. The terrain forms the upper reaches of the Ningxia Plain, originating from the Yellow River alluvial fan of the Helan Mountains, sloping from southwest to northeast with a gradient of 2500:1.

　　(2) Hydrology: The Yellow River flows through the planting region, and irrigation water for chili cultivation comes from the Yellow River. In 1967, the Qingtongxia Water Control Project was completed, becoming the headworks for major canals in the Yinchuan Plain, including the West Main Canal, Tanglai Canal, Hanyan Canal, Huinong Canal, Qin Canal, Han Canal, and East Main Canal. These seven main canals span 260 kilometers within the region, with an annual allocated water volume of 959 million cubic meters. According to the "Technical Specifications for Monitoring Agricultural Water Source Environmental Quality" (NY/T396-2000), monitoring of irrigation water quality in the production area shows that all tested indicators for chili irrigation water are within acceptable limits, confirming the water quality as qualified.

　　All monitored parameters were found to be within standard limits, and the irrigation water quality was deemed compliant.

　　(3) Climate: The chili-growing region has a continental monsoon climate characterized by dryness, low rainfall, large diurnal temperature variations, abundant sunshine, cold winters, hot summers, few catastrophic weather events, a long frost-free period, and abundant light, heat, and water resources. Yellow River irrigation ensures stable yields in both drought and flood conditions.

　　The average wind speed is 3 meters per second, peaking in April. The prevailing wind direction is northwest throughout the year, with maximum wind force reaching level 7. There are 9 days of sandstorms and 14 days of dust storms annually.

　　The mean annual temperature is 9.5°C, with extreme lows of -17.6°C and extreme highs of 34°C. The accumulated temperature above 10°C ranges from 3,200°C to 3,400°C, and the frost-free period lasts 140–160 days.

　　The annual sunshine duration is 3,102.5 hours, averaging 8.5 hours per day, with the longest days in July at 13.5 hours and the shortest in December at 9 hours. The average annual solar radiation is 144.6 kcal per square centimeter.

　　The average annual precipitation is 146.8 mm, with most rainfall concentrated between June and September, accounting for 60% of the yearly total. The average annual evaporation is 1,940 mm—9.1 times the precipitation—with a daily average evaporation of 5.3 mm.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Background: Chili cultivation in Qingtongxia began in the 20th century and has a history of nearly 10 years. Qingtongxia City is a key national commodity grain production base and also an important vegetable production hub in Northwest China. The city covers a land area of 2,445 square kilometers, with over 800,000 mu of arable land and a total population of 300,000, including 200,000 agricultural residents—67% of the total population. Additionally, Qingtongxia is located on the central Ningxia Plain, traversed by the Baotou-Lanzhou and Daguying railways, as well as the Shi Zhong Expressway and National Highway 109. It is the only county-level city in Ningxia listed among the top 100 in Western China, enjoying significant locational advantages, convenient transportation, exceptional natural conditions, abundant planting resources, a strong economy, social stability, and a simple, honest folk culture—all of which provide a favorable investment environment for vegetable industry development. In recent years, the city has focused on facility agriculture as a breakthrough point, actively adjusting its industrial structure through government guidance, financial support, corporate operations, and leading farmer initiatives to vigorously develop modern agriculture. To date, the city has established 13 facility agriculture parks exceeding 1,000 mu each, with 20,000 mu of solar greenhouses built. Four major companies—including Shouguang Seedling Company from Shandong and Zhongwei Green Garden Vegetable Cooperative—and 90 large-scale facility vegetable growers have invested over 40 million yuan to participate in the construction of solar greenhouses and three factory-style seedling centers, fostering a robust industrial development atmosphere. The vigorous advancement of modern agriculture has created excellent opportunities for the growth of Qingtongxia Chili.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Origin Selection and Special Provisions: Only areas meeting the environmental conditions for pollution-free vegetable production may serve as chili planting bases.

　　(2) Variety Selection and Specific Requirements: Within the designated region, chili varieties are primarily selected for their strong disease resistance, good stress tolerance, superior quality, high yield, and storage and transport durability—such as the Longjian variety.

　　(3) Production Process Management, Including Special Regulations on Agricultural Inputs: A “unified procurement and unified disinfection” approach is implemented for chili seeds to ensure seed quality. The use of highly toxic or high-residue pesticides is prohibited in chili production. Unregistered fertilizers and pesticides are not allowed. Irrigation using water that does not meet agricultural standards is forbidden. During storage, processing, packaging, transportation, and sales, no ripening agents, preservatives, whiteners, dyes, or hormone-based substances harmful to humans may be used. Designated personnel must manage fertilizers and pesticides. Regular pesticide residue tests are conducted in chili production areas, and any produce found to have used high-toxicity or high-residue pesticides or exceeded residue limits is banned from market sale and will be publicly exposed.

　　(4) Product Harvesting: Chili is harvested only when fully mature. Spraying of any disease or pest control pesticides is strictly prohibited within 15 days before picking.

　　(5) Production Record Requirements: Comprehensive records must be maintained throughout the production process, including seed, fertilizer, and pesticide purchase, usage, and chili sales records. Records must be complete, accurate, and retained for at least two years. Input usage records must truthfully reflect the entire raw material production process. Any vegetable supplier without proper input records will be disqualified from purchase.

　　Product Typical Quality Characteristics and Quality Safety Standards

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: The primary chili variety in the designated region is Longjian, with a growth cycle of

　　12 months, an average plant height of 2.5 meters, individual fruit weight of 100–150 grams, approximately 25 fruits per plant, yielding 3.5–4 kilograms per plant. The fruit is yellow-green, thick-skinned, and spicy.

　　(2) Internal Quality Indicators: Qingtongxia Chili is rich in vitamins and minerals. Per 100 grams of chili product, it contains 0.05 mg of vitamin A, 20.2 mg of vitamin C, 2.4 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat, 8.6 g of total sugar, 9.8 g of carbohydrates, 4.6 mg of calcium, 39 mg of phosphorus, 0.1 mg of iron, and 0.0298 mg of various amino acids. Qingtongxia Chili features strong disease resistance, good stress tolerance, superior quality, high yield, and excellent storage capability—making it suitable for long-distance distribution. It plays a significant role in off-season vegetable supply. Greenhouse-grown chilies are transplanted in October each year, with an annual yield of around 90,000 tons. Ninety percent is sold externally, primarily to the Northwest region. Fresh chili enjoys strong market pricing, and the “Qingtongxia Chili” brand is widely recognized.

　　Among chili products, it contains 0.05 mg of vitamin A, 20.2 mg of vitamin C, 2.4 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat, 8.6 g of total sugar, 9.8 g of carbohydrates, 4.6 mg of calcium, 39 mg of phosphorus, 0.1 mg of iron, and 0.0298 mg of various amino acids. The Qingtongxia chili is characterized by strong disease resistance, good stress tolerance, superior quality, high yield, and good storability, making it suitable for long-distance distribution. It plays an important role in the supply of off-season vegetables. Greenhouse-grown chilies are planted every October, with an annual output of about 90,000 tons, 90% of which are sold externally. The main sales regions are primarily in the northwest part of China. Fresh chili products enjoy good market prices, and the "Qingtongxia Chili" product enjoys high recognition.

　　(3) Safety Requirements: The production environment complies with the "Quality Requirements for Pollution-Free Vegetable Production Areas" and "Environmental Quality Standards." Product safety and hygiene indicators exceed national standards. The entire production process follows pollution-free vegetable standardization and the city’s own production technical regulations.

　　Packaging, Labeling, and Related Provisions

　　Production and business enterprises within the designated region shall correctly use the nationally unified public logo on their products or product packaging in accordance with the requirements of the "Public Logo Usage Specifications for Agricultural Product Geographical Indications" and the public logo authorization regulations of the Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture. They should establish a logo usage management system, truthfully record the use of the logo, register and archive such records, with a retention period of three years. During the transportation of chili peppers, relevant regulations must be followed. Vehicles must be equipped with thermal insulation facilities, and transportation should be conducted in a proper manner.