Lanxi Flax

Lanxi Flax

Lanxi Flax is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Lanxi Flax is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Lanxi is rich in flax production and enjoys the reputation of being the “Hometown of Flax in China.” However, before 2002, despite holding this “golden rice bowl,” the people of Lanxi had not fully tapped into the advantages of flax. Due to systemic and market reasons, by 2001, most of the county’s flax enterprises had ceased operations. In recent years, the Lanxi County Party Committee and County Government have repositioned the development of the flax industry, proposing new strategies. By focusing on marketing and market-driven approaches to boost processing and stimulate the base, they have forged a path of clustered development characterized by small-scale operations but a large collective force. This strategic adjustment has injected new vitality into the development of Lanxi’s flax industry. After several years of dedicated efforts, the once declining flax industry has become a leading sector in strengthening the county and enriching its people, propelling the Lanxi flax economy to new heights.

　　For Lanxi, flax represents wealth—but also “burdened” wealth. Once the “burden” is shed, flax can generate new sources of income in market operations and continue to appreciate in value. So how does one “shed the burden” and enter the market unencumbered? Based on extensive visits to flax enterprises, careful analysis of the industry’s development trends, and market research, the Lanxi County Party Committee and County Government have repositioned the development of the flax industry and proposed a new strategy. This approach adheres to the principles of “government leadership, industry planning, market operation, social financing, and mutual benefits for all parties,” shifting from “focusing on enterprises to develop the industry” to “strengthening the industry to drive enterprises,” and from “a linear chain of production, processing, and sales” to “marketing-driven growth.” This strategic adjustment has breathed new life into the development of Lanxi’s flax industry. The previous approach of “focusing on enterprises to develop the industry” involved excessive intervention in enterprises, which led to increasing passivity and an inability to achieve scale. Now, by “focusing on the industry to develop enterprises,” the scope of industry development has been broadened, especially in terms of expanding processing capabilities, operating according to market mechanisms, and fostering competitive, widespread growth. The former “linear chain of production, processing, and sales” started with the base, often resulting in broken links in the chain and issues such as “low prices hurting farmers.” The new “marketing-driven” approach adopts reverse thinking—starting with marketing, leveraging the power of the market as the leading force to drive processing and stimulate the base. Following this approach, they employed market-based methods to establish the Heilongjiang Flax Market and the China Flax Market. Using these platforms, during two consecutive National Flax Textile Product Trade Fairs, contracts for the sale of 3 million car seat covers were signed, with transactions totaling over 1 billion yuan.

　　Small Scale, Large Collective Force

　　Before 2002, Lanxi County had only about 20 flax processing enterprises, mainly producing primary and intermediate products such as flax fiber, flax cloth, and flax yarn, with very limited industrial scale. To change this situation, Lanxi County leaders conducted over 40 rounds of negotiations with Hong Kong Enterprise Textile Company, eventually winning them over with perseverance and sincerity. The company invested more than 200 million yuan in total; Sunshine Company arrived and established Chaoyang Flax Textile Industry Co., Ltd.; Zhongtai Group came, followed by the establishment of companies like Jiamei and Ludi... At the same time, Lanxi insisted on developing both “regular forces” and “guerrilla forces,” enabling the flax processing industry to follow a path of clustered development characterized by small-scale operations but a large collective force. Lanxi’s flax processing enterprises sprouted up like mushrooms after rain. In no time, residential houses became factories and residents became workers, leading to situations where “street-front properties became expensive” and “spinning workers were in short supply.” Currently, the county has developed over 300 flax raw material processing enterprises, with a flax spinning capacity of 43,000 spindles, weaving capacity of 23 million meters, and knitting and braiding capacity of 6.3 million sets (pieces). The flax products include six major categories and over 70 varieties, which are sold well in international markets such as Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. Quality is the foundation of survival. While encouraging and allowing enterprises to develop freely, Lanxi County has organized multiple study tours for enterprise operators to Zhejiang and Wenzhou, guiding them to establish long-term business philosophies and enhance their awareness of integrity and quality. At the same time, market-oriented measures have been continuously improved, with the Flax Association and functional departments such as industry and commerce, quality and technical supervision going deep into production enterprises to strengthen supervision. Local standards for Heilongjiang Province’s flax textile products have been formulated, providing clear guidelines for production. Over the past two years, many well-known products and trustworthy enterprises have emerged. The leading enterprise, Lanya Company, has passed the ISO-9002 international quality system certification. The “Lanya” trademark has been rated as a well-known trademark in Heilongjiang Province and is actively applying for recognition as a famous Chinese trademark. The “Sanhe” and “Chaoyang” brands of flax have been rated as provincial premium products. Last year, the “Lanxi Flax” origin and “Lanxi Green Flax Products” identifiers were also verified and promoted for use by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

　　Building Strength with “Flax”

　　Lanxi has built its strength with “flax” by hosting events such as the Flax Festival and ordering fairs, generating buzz around the flax industry and promoting Lanxi, achieving a win-win effect in both economic and social benefits. During the two China (Lanxi) Flax Festivals and two National Flax Car Seat Cover Ordering Fairs, over 30 projects were signed, including contracts for 6,000 spindles of flax spinning and 250,000 sets of flax textiles. Seizing this opportunity, Lanxi has focused on amplifying the brand effect of flax, the cultural impact of flax, the effects of cooperative development, publicity, and radiating influence. Today, the atmosphere for developing the distinctive flax industry across the county has grown increasingly vibrant. The annual flax planting area, both within and outside the region, exceeds 300,000 mu. Through the development of the flax industry, the per capita income of the county’s 378,000 farmers has increased by 300 yuan. The rapid development of the flax industry has not only expanded urban and rural employment but also driven the growth of secondary and tertiary industries such as transportation, electricity, information, catering services, and cultural tourism. According to statistics, last year the added value of the flax industry reached 280 million yuan, accounting for 64.5% of the county’s GDP, directly creating employment for 60,000 people and generating over 50 million yuan in revenue for tourism and other service industries. Since last year, Lanxi has also been named the “China Flax Spinning and Braiding City” by the National Development and Reform Commission and the China National Textile and Apparel Council. Meanwhile, the National Auto Supplies Industry Federation has designated Lanxi as the “National Production Base County for Flax Car Seat Covers.” With resource advantages transformed into brand advantages, the Lanxi flax economy is reaching new heights.

　　Lanxi Flax

　　Geographical Scope

　　Lanxi County is located slightly northwest of Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, in the southern part of the Songnen Plain. The southern extension of the Lesser Khingan Mountains, known as the Laha Ridge, runs north-south along the western bank of the Hulan River, traversing the county. The geographical indication protection area for Lanxi flax spans from 125°42′10″ to 126°38′10″ east longitude and from 46°02′05″ to 46°38′20″ north latitude. It includes fifteen townships: Linjiang Town, Beian Township, Lanxi Town, Yulin Town, Kangrong Township, Hongguang Township, Fangdou Township, Yuanda Township, Changgang Township, Lanhe Township, Liaoyuan Township, Hongxing Township, Pingshan Town, Xinghuo Township, and Changjiang Township, with a total protected area of 150,000 hectares, a production area of 1,800 hectares, and an annual total output of 3,000 tons. The protected area borders Qinggang County and Wangkui County to the north, Anda City and Zhaodong City to the west, and faces the Hulan District to the south and southeast, while adjacent to Beilin District to the northeast.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Original stalk process length of over 70 cm, stalk diameter of 1–2 mm, uniform thickness, with an apricot-yellow color and good luster. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Long fiber content of 15–17%, short fiber content of 15–16%, fiber tensile strength of 18–22 kg, and flexibility of 50–65 mm. 3. Compliance Standard: In 2002, the state re-established the standard for fiber flax original stalks, namely the GB/T13833-2002 standard. 4. Overall Evaluation: Long flax fibers, good softness, high breathability, and superior quality.