Gaizhou Watermelon

Gaizhou Watermelon

Gaizhou Watermelon is an agricultural product with geographical indication status.

　　Gaizhou Watermelon is produced in Gaizhou City, Yingkou, Liaoning Province. The geographical indication protection area covers 15 towns, farms, and offices, including the Taishe Office and Bangshibao Town in Gaizhou City. The geographical coordinates are between 121°56′–122°53′ east longitude and 39°55′–40°33′ north latitude. The holder of the agricultural product geographical indication certificate is the Gaizhou City Agricultural Technology Extension Center. Gaizhou City is located on the Liaodong Peninsula in southern Liaoning Province. The terrain features a natural structure of six mountains, one water body, and three parts farmland, with abundant water resources. Major rivers in the area include the Daqing River, Biliu River, Xiongyue River, and Sha River, along with several tributaries. Annual precipitation ranges from 670 to 700 mm. Influenced by the ocean, the climate is warm and humid with ample sunshine—annual average sunshine duration is 2600–2900 hours, the mean annual temperature is 9.4°C, the frost-free period lasts 180 days, and the soil is fertile with rich organic matter content reaching up to 3%. Due to Gaizhou’s unique geographical environment, favorable climate, abundant water resources, and fertile soil, the area produces watermelons with distinctive qualities. Gaizhou Watermelons are known for their early maturation, attractive appearance, high sugar content (with central sugar levels reaching up to 14%), bright red flesh, excellent taste, fine and crispy texture, juiciness, and rich nutritional content. They are also high-yielding, with per-mu yields reaching 5000–6500 kg, and exhibit strong resistance, allowing for continuous cultivation. The cultivation of Gaizhou Watermelon has a long history, dating back over 300 years to the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, planting areas have expanded year by year, especially accelerating over the past decade. In 2012, the planting area reached 100,000 mu, with a production volume of 400,000 tons. Registered watermelon brands include “Fuchen,” “Daqinghe,” and “Hounuanquan.” The “Xiaohuangqi Watermelon” produced in Huangdazhai Village and Zhangdazhai Village of Gaizhou City is highly favored by consumers and is sold in major cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Dalian. Gaizhou Watermelon has become a significant agricultural industry in the region.

　　Geographic Range

　　The protected area for Gaizhou Watermelon is located between 121°56′44″–122°53′26″ east longitude and 39°55′12″–40°33′55″ north latitude. It covers 15 towns, farms, and offices, including Bangshibao Town, Nuquan Town, Dongcheng Office, Xicheng Office, Qingshiling Town, Taishe Office, Xihai Office, Xutun Town, Tuanshan Office, Shagang Town, Ertai Farm, Xiaoshipeng Township, Tuandian Town, Shuangtai Town, and Jiulongdi Office. The total production area spans 100,000 mu, with an annual output of 400,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) Quality Features: Through long-term cultivation and natural selection, Gaizhou Watermelon has developed its own distinctive traits—producing watermelons with bright green rinds and deep red flesh bursting with sweet juice. (2) Quality Characteristics: Gaizhou Watermelon is rich in Vitamin A, B, C, protein, and various minerals including iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. The juice contains abundant glutamic acid, arginine, fructose, and malic acid. (3) Product Quality and Safety Standards: The registered product adheres to specific national mandatory technical specifications, detailed content, and related legal regulations regarding market access. These include: GB3059—1996 Ambient Air Quality Standard; GB5084—1992 Farmland Irrigation Water Quality Standard; GB3838—1998 National Surface Water Quality Standard; GB4285—1989 Safe Use Standard for Pesticides.