Yian Kidney Beans

Yian Kidney Beans

Yian Kidney Beans are a protected geographical indication product.

Yian Kidney Beans are a geographical indication product for agricultural products.

　　"Milk-flower kidney beans are produced in Yian — their colors are pure and grains are plump, with versatile uses, rich flavors, and exceptional nutritional value. They enrich both merchants and farmers, and reach countries all over the world." This is a true portrayal of the milk-flower kidney beans from Yian County.

　　In recent years, Yian County has made the development of milk-flower kidney beans — which are highly nutritious, adaptable, multi-purpose, marketable, and economically beneficial — a key industry to increase farmers’ income and drive the county’s economic growth. Through proper guidance, strong support, market-driven initiatives, and profitability incentives, this industry has continued to grow and expand, now being sold to all five continents.

　　Small Kidney Beans Become Farmers’ “Golden Beans”

　　Compared to other crops, planting milk-flower kidney beans requires lower investment, poses less risk, and yields higher returns. It enjoys widespread popularity among farmers in Yian County. Since the mid-1980s, the county has engaged in large-scale cultivation. After 1999, some townships, especially the ten most suitable ones south of the Wuyuer River, began focusing on milk-flower kidney beans as their main crop. The planting area has expanded year by year, remaining stable at over 350,000 mu for many years. This year, the county’s planting area surged to 600,000 mu, and the crops are now thriving and soon to be harvested.

　　Milk-flower kidney beans have brought tangible benefits to farmers in Yian County. Last year, the county planted 400,000 mu of milk-flower kidney beans, achieving an average yield of 200 kilograms per mu. The total net income from this crop alone reached 119 million yuan for farmers across the county. Among them, Yilong Town planted 150,000 mu of milk-flower kidney beans, yielding a total of 14,400 tons and generating an income of 34.56 million yuan — averaging 2,600 yuan per household and nearly 700 yuan per capita. Liu Guocai, a farmer from Dongfeng Village in the town, plants over 100 mu of milk-flower kidney beans each year, earning a net profit of more than 30,000 yuan annually. Today, what started as a minor crop used for field repair and replanting in Yian has grown into the “golden bean” that enriches farmers.

　　Small Beans, Big Market

　　Thanks to its unique soil and geographical location, the milk-flower kidney beans produced in Yian County are known for their pure color, standardized grain shape, glossy appearance, and high protein content. They are highly sought after in the international market, where demand outstrips supply, and are entirely exported. Of the total output, 80% is sold to South Africa, Cuba, Kuwait, Indonesia, and Pakistan, while 20% enters the markets of France and the United States. Yian County has become a nationally renowned hub for milk-flower kidney beans and has firmly established itself as the top-producing and exporting county in the province. South African buyers are particularly fond of Yian’s milk-flower kidney beans, praising their excellent quality, great taste, appealing color, and substantial quantity. Nowadays, Yian’s milk-flower kidney beans are exempt from inspection at three customs points in Dalian, Tianjin, and Weihai. In France and the United States, only Yian’s milk-flower kidney beans are permitted to be sold in supermarkets.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Yian County is located in western Heilongjiang Province, at the southern foot of the Lesser Khingan Mountains, the northern edge of the Songnen Plain, and the middle section of the Qiqihar–Bei’an Railway. It borders Baiquan to the east, Fuyu to the west, Keshan and Nenjiang to the north, and Lindian and Mingshui to the south. Its geographical coordinates are between 124°50' and 125°42' east longitude, and 47°16' and 48°02' north latitude. The protected area mainly includes 15 townships within Yian County: Yilong Town, Furao Township, Sanxing Town, Zhongxin Town, Xinxing Township, Xinfat Township, Yangchun Township, Jiefang Township, Shuangyang Town, Yian Town, Taidong Township, Shangyou Township, Hongxing Township, Xianfeng Township, and Xintun Township. The total protected area spans 265,600 hectares, with 25,000 hectares dedicated to kidney bean production, yielding a total of 60,000 tons of kidney beans.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Product Features. The Yian region has a cold temperate continental monsoon climate with large diurnal temperature variations, which is conducive to the accumulation of dry matter and the synthesis of nutrients. The plants grow to a height of 59.0–87.9 cm, with 3.5–4.1 primary branches, 9.2–11.1 stem nodes, 6.4–15.7 pods per plant, pod lengths of 8.4–11.1 cm, 3.6–3.9 seeds per pod, 100-seed weight of 46.6–49.7 g, and 230–252 seeds per 100 g. The growing period is generally 85–95 days. The beans are drought-resistant and tolerant of poor soils, with strong adaptability. The product features a pure appearance, round and glossy grains that are full, delicate, and smooth as fine syrup. They are pleasant to eat, leave a lingering fragrance, and offer a refreshing aftertaste with excellent flavor. 2. Sensory Characteristics: Yian kidney beans have plump, flawless grains that are uniform in size. The seeds are yellow with purple streaks and shallowly sunken in a kidney shape. The hilum is white and oval, with a brown hilum ring. They are palatable and of high quality. 3. Internal Quality Indicators: Yian kidney beans are rich in nutrients, containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and fiber. Specifically, protein content exceeds 20%, crude fiber exceeds 4.0 mg/kg, carbohydrates exceed 7 g/100 g, calcium exceeds 9.20×10² mg/kg, iron exceeds 6.9×10¹ mg/kg, phosphorus exceeds 35 mg/100 g, and fat is less than 1 g/100 g. 4. Safety Requirements: Yian kidney beans strictly comply with the "Pollution-Free Kidney Bean Standardized Production Technical Regulations." The origin environment meets the requirements of NY5332-2006 for pollution-free field crop environmental conditions. The product conforms to the standards of NY5202-2005 for pollution-free food grain legumes.