Ji’an Chestnuts

Ji’an Chestnuts

Ji’an chestnuts are a protected geographical indication product.

Ji’an chestnuts are a protected geographical indication trademark.

　　Ji’an chestnuts are a specialty of Ji’an City, Jilin Province. With their thin shells, delicate flesh, sweet and soft texture, they enjoy a high reputation in the market. On December 12, 2007, Ji’an chestnuts were granted protection as a geographical indication product.

　　　Ji’an City is a typical mountainous area dominated by forestry. Situated in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent, deeply...

　　. influenced by oceanic climate, it has long been known as "Jilin Province’s Little Jiangnan" and is one of the few counties in Jilin where chestnuts can be cultivated. The cultivation of chestnuts in Ji’an has a history of nearly a hundred years, but prior to the implementation of the Grain for Green Project, chestnuts were grown sporadically as fruit trees—there were no large contiguous pure chestnut forests, let alone an industry. After the launch of the Grain for Green Project in 2002, Ji’an carefully analyzed its regional advantages and decided to guide farmers to plant chestnuts on reclaimed farmland and develop a chestnut industry. By 2010, the city had added 8,082 acres of new chestnut planting areas, making Ji’an widely renowned throughout Jilin as the "Chestnut Capital."

　　Variety Characteristics

　　　　Through intensive management and selection breeding, Ji’an has developed three new varieties of chestnuts: “Jinhe,” “Silver Leaf,” and “Fangzuo.” These new varieties not only mature early, are cold-resistant and disease-resistant, and yield highly, but also feature thin shells, delicate flesh, and a sweet and soft taste, quickly gaining recognition among farmers participating in the Grain for Green Program.

　　Production Situation

　　　　Relying on abundant chestnut planting resources, Ji’an has vigorously developed deep processing of chestnut products to increase their added value. Products such as dried chestnuts, chestnut powder, chestnut jam, chestnut paste, chestnut cakes, and canned chestnuts are rich in nutrition and suitable for all ages, enjoying strong market demand. In 2007, the standardized chestnut production demonstration zone passed inspection by the National Standardization Management Committee. Many products were certified as pollution-free agricultural products by the China Green Food Development Center, establishing their own green brand. In 2009, Ji’an’s chestnut products generated direct income of over 48 million yuan, created more than 2,000 new jobs, and made Ji’an a famous chestnut product distribution hub in Jilin Province.

　　The development of the chestnut industry has also boosted Ji’an’s agro-ecological tourism. Chestnut flowers, fruits, and trees all have strong ornamental value. The chestnut blossoms bloom for a long time, white as jade, while the fruits are attractively shaped. Whether in spring or autumn, visitors to Ji’an often take a stroll through the chestnut groves.

　　Geographical Indication Product Protection

　　　　In 2008, after review by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, it was decided to implement geographical indication product protection for Ji’an chestnuts.

　　Protection Scope

　　　　The protection scope of Ji’an chestnuts as a geographical indication product is based on the range proposed in the "Notice on Determining the Protection Area for Ji’an Chestnuts as a Geographical Indication Product" (Ji Zheng Ban Fa [2007] No. 6) issued by the People’s Government Office of Ji’an City, Jilin Province. It covers the administrative regions of seven towns and subdistricts in Ji’an City: Qingshi Town, Taiwang Town, Maxian Township, Yulin Town, Liangshui Korean Ethnic Township, Dalu Town, and Tongsheng Subdistrict.