Yichun Blueberries

Yichun Blueberries

Yichun Blueberries are recognized as a Geographical Indication Agricultural Product.

　　Yichun City has a northern temperate continental monsoon climate. With relatively low temperatures and ample precipitation, the area features mainly dark brown forest soil that is acidic and rich in organic matter—ideal conditions for growing blueberries. Wild Yichun blueberries grow in permafrost layers, characterized by being pollution-free, natural, and green, earning them the title “Fruit of Life in Cold Lands.” Multiple products have won provincial famous-brand recognition, and 22 types of blueberry products have obtained organic food certification. Yichun City has been honored as the “Hometown of Chinese Blueberries” by the China Small Berries Association.

　　Yichun is not only China’s primary production region for wild blueberries but also the most suitable area for their cultivation. While wild blueberry resources are precious and limited in quantity, expanding the blueberry industry requires developing large-scale artificial cultivation alongside the protection of wild sources. Starting in 2006, Wuying, Youhao, Dailing, and Tieli Forestry Bureaus successively introduced tissue-cultured blueberries for trial planting. By 2010, large-scale cultivation had begun across the city. By the end of 2011, the cumulative blueberry planting area reached 10,500 mu, with 538 mu entering the fruit-bearing stage, yielding over 60,000 jin of fresh fruit and generating sales revenue exceeding 3 million yuan. By 2012, the city’s total blueberry planting area had reached 30,000 mu.

　　On the streets of Yichun, a few items are always essential in any local specialty shop: walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, mushrooms, and blueberries.

　　Fresh blueberries are processed into sweet-and-sour dried blueberries, solving the issue of their short fresh season and making them easier to transport. In recent years, Yichun District in Yichun City has vigorously implemented strategies focused on ecological development, commercial services, and industrial prosperity. It has introduced a number of energy-efficient, high-output, and tax-contributing projects, actively promoting the deep processing of blueberries. Nowadays, Yichun-grown blueberries can be eaten fresh, made into fruit wine, or processed into dried blueberries, blueberry candy, blueberry juice, blueberry pastries, and more. The humble blueberry is growing into a major industry in Yichun.

　　Applicant: Yichun Forest Food Industry Association

　　Region: 2012

　　Geographical Scope

　　Yichun City is located in the northeast of Heilongjiang Province. It borders Luobei County, Hegang City, and Tangyuan County to the east, Yilan County and Tonghe County to the south, Qing’an County and Suileng County to the west, and connects northward to Xunke County. Its northern Jiayin County faces Russia across the river, with a boundary river stretching 246 kilometers. The city administers 1 county-level city, 1 county, 15 districts, 17 forestry bureaus, and has a total population of 1.32 million. The geographical indication protection area for Yichun Blueberries includes the entire territory of Yichun City in Heilongjiang Province, comprising Jiayin County, Wuyiling District, Tangwanghe District, Xinqing District, Hongxing District, Wuying District, Shangganling District, Youhao District, Yichun District, Cuiluan District, Wumahe District, Nancha District, Dailing District, Meixi District, Xilin District, Jinshantun District, Tieli City, Tieli Forestry Bureau, Shuangfeng Forestry Bureau, Taoshan Forestry Bureau, and Langxiang Forestry Bureau—21 counties (cities), districts, and bureaus. The geographical coordinates are between 127°42′–130°14′ east longitude and 46°28′–49°21′ north latitude. The protected area spans 1 million hectares, with 44,000 hectares dedicated to blueberry cultivation and an annual yield of 3,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Product Features: Compared to blueberries from other regions, Yichun blueberries exhibit balanced and stable physicochemical indicators and are highly nutritious. They can be eaten fresh or processed into frozen fruit, dried fruit, juice, jam, wine, beverages, and anthocyanin extracts. Yichun frozen blueberries and blueberry juice have been exported to South Korea, Japan, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Taiwan for many years, winning strong favor among foreign buyers. 2. Sensory Characteristics: Yichun blueberries are blue with a layer of white bloom, weighing 0.5–2.5 grams per berry. The fruit surface is clean, free from pests or disease spots, with fine flesh, a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste, and a refreshing aroma, making them suitable for both fresh consumption and processing. 3. Internal Quality Indicators: Fresh Yichun blueberries contain more than 150 mg/100g of anthocyanin pigments, over 3% fructose, more than 300 mg/100g of vitamin C, over 7% soluble solids, and less than 3% titratable acid. 4. Safety Requirements: Yichun blueberry production strictly follows the standards outlined in the “Yichun Blueberry Production Technical Regulations.” Products are tested to meet the requirements of (NY5086-2005), and the growing environment complies with (NY5087-2002). Yichun blueberry production adheres rigorously to the “Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law,” establishing a food safety traceability system to ensure traceability of product safety.