Fengxian Yellow Peaches

Fengxian Yellow Peaches

Fengxian Yellow Peaches are a protected geographical indication product.

Fengxian Yellow Peaches are a certified geographical indication trademark.

Fengxian Yellow Peaches are an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Yellow peaches, also known as yellow-fleshed peaches, are a variety of peaches. Historical records indicate that yellow peaches were valued and cultivated artificially in China as early as three to four thousand years ago. By the Qin and Han dynasties, various cultivars had been developed. Golden peaches, grafted from ancient hairy peaches, continued to propagate and evolved into today’s yellow peach population.

　　According to records, in the 1920s, towns in Fengxian such as Qingcun, Wanghai, Sanguan, Qianqiao, Tairi, and Binhai began cultivating yellow-fleshed peaches, with a total planting area of over 100 acres. In the 1960s, researchers at the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ Horticulture Research Institute improved the varieties of Fengxian yellow peaches. They successfully applied hybrid breeding techniques, preserving the juicy and richly sweet characteristics. By the 1970s, new fresh and processing dual-purpose varieties, represented by “Jinxiu Yellow Peach,” were developed, giving Fengxian yellow peaches their unique qualities. Since then, high-quality Fengxian yellow peach varieties have been widely planted and promoted across the district. The products are known for being “sweet, large, round, yellow, and fragrant,” earning widespread consumer recognition and further enhancing the reputation of “Fengxian Yellow Peaches.”

　　Fengxian Yellow Peaches are a unique variety among yellow peaches, exclusive to Fengxian District in Shanghai.

　　Fengxian District is located in the southeastern part of Shanghai, bordering Hangzhou Bay and connecting to the East China Sea. The soil is sandy loam, loose and fertile, with a pH value of 7.2–7.8. The annual average temperature is 15.7°C, with an annual temperature variation of 0.8–1.6°C. The frost-free period lasts 232 days on average, the annual precipitation is 1,174 mm, there are 137 rainy days per year, and the annual sunshine duration is 1,932 hours, classifying it as a marine climate. Due to its proximity to the East China Sea and frequent east winds, the area is under marine monsoon influence. The conditions of temperature, light, water, and air are highly suitable for yellow peach growth, resulting in products that are premium, eco-friendly, and safe.

　　Winter is the dormant period for peach trees and also the coldest time in the Fengxian region. Owing to Fengxian’s unique location at the bay and the Yangtze River estuary, the water bodies help moderate temperatures. Typically, monthly rainfall in winter ranges from 40–50 mm, with an average temperature of 4–6°C. Based on the biological characteristic of Fengxian yellow peaches requiring 830 cumulative hours below 7.2°C during their winter dormancy, the district had accumulated 600 hours by January (inclusive), 800 hours by early February, and over 1,100 hours by the end of winter. The climate is also warm and humid, providing optimal environmental conditions for the physiological dormancy needs of Fengxian yellow peaches.

　　According to Feng Dongchun, Director of the Fengxian District Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau, the unique regional environment of Fengxian, along with ecological advantages such as temperature, sunlight, soil, and moisture, creates the natural conditions for the superior growth and high-quality fruit formation of Fengxian yellow peaches. Closely relying on science and technology and strictly implementing standardized cultivation has transformed these ecological and geographical advantages into industrial strengths.

　　In 2008, to broaden the market for Fengxian yellow peaches and accelerate sales growth, the local postal system was integrated into the sales channels. Consumers could simply place an order by phone, and a postal vehicle would deliver fresh yellow peaches to their doorstep. In December of the same year, Fengxian District’s first “field supermarket” opened in Zhelin Town, with over 200 cooperatives in the district becoming suppliers of quality products. The first-day revenue reached more than one million yuan, comparable to the daily turnover of a major local supermarket. Moreover, online sales of Fengxian yellow peaches were also significant. According to incomplete statistics, websites such as the Fengxian Tourism Network and Fengxian Agriculture Network recorded tens of thousands of clicks. Countless people learned about them online or made inquiries by phone, and over ten thousand kilograms of yellow peaches were sold cumulatively in 2008. In 2009, to further develop and strengthen the Fengxian yellow peach industry, enhance its visibility, establish its origin status, promote candidate fruits for the World Expo, effectively alleviate the difficulty peach farmers faced in selling their produce, and increase farmers’ income, Qingcun Town in Fengxian District hosted the “2009 Shanghai Fengxian Yellow Peach Competition” in mid-August. The event attracted numerous tourists to Qingcun to taste the peaches on-site, boosting sales.

　　On April 20, 2010, Fengxian Yellow Peaches were approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine as a protected geographical indication product. Fengxian Yellow Peaches became the first product in Fengxian District to receive such protection, covering the entire administrative region of Fengxian District, Shanghai. Since then, Fengxian Yellow Peaches, as a pillar of the specialty agriculture industry, have reached a new level. With faster and better development, they have gained increasing favor among consumers and are expected to become one of the major fruit varieties exported from Shanghai and even nationwide.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Fengxian Yellow Peaches covers the entire administrative region of Fengxian District, Shanghai.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected geographical indication area for Fengxian Yellow Peaches (agricultural product) includes 24 administrative villages within Qingcun Town, Fengxian District: Jiefang Village, Wanzhang Village, Gongnong Village, Zhangnong Village, Shi Hai Village, Huajiao Village, Xin Zhang Village, Wufang Village, Jinwang Village, Yuantong Village, Taoyuan Village, Nanxing Village, Qianzhong Village, Shenlongyi Village, Shenlonger Village, Taozhai Village, Hezhong Village, Xiwu Village, Liyao Village, Yaojia Village, Zhudian Village, Yuehe Village, Beitang Village, and Zhongjia Village. The geographical coordinates of the protected area are 30°51′–30°57′ north latitude and 121°31′–121°36′ east longitude, covering a total area of 73.15 square kilometers.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) Sensory Characteristics of Fengxian Yellow Peaches: Fengxian yellow peaches have a round and full shape, a flat top, shallow sutures, relatively symmetrical sides, with a horizontal-to-vertical diameter ratio of 0.8–1.1. The peel is pale yellow to golden yellow (color card grades 5–7), often with rose-red blushes or fine red speckles. Fully ripe fruits have easily peelable skin, which is thick, tough, and has medium fuzz. Each peach weighs 200–400g. The flesh is golden yellow, clingstone, richly aromatic, sweet and flavorful, tender yet firm, with few fibers and abundant juice. Early-maturing varieties have soluble solids content of over 10%, while mid-to-late maturing varieties exceed 13%. (2) Internal Quality Indicators of Fengxian Yellow Peaches: Scientific testing shows that per 100g of Fengxian yellow peaches, total sugar content ranges from 5g to 6.5g, reducing sugar from 4g to 5g, total acid from 0.4g to 0.5g, and vitamin C from 0.3mg to 0.4mg. (3) Quality and Safety Requirements for Fengxian Yellow Peaches: Fengxian yellow peaches strictly comply with NY/391-2000 “Green Food - Environmental Quality Standards for Production Areas,” NY/393-2000 “Green Food - Pesticide Use Guidelines,” and NY/424-2000 “Green Food - Fresh Peaches.” Soluble solids are measured according to GB/T 12295, total acid according to GB/T 12293, arsenic according to GB/T 5009.11, lead according to GB/T 5009.12, cadmium according to GB/T 5009.15, BHC and DDT according to GB/T 5009.19, DDVP, dimethoate, fenitrothion, fenthion, malathion, and parathion according to GB/T 5009.20, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and fenvalerate according to GB/T 5009.146, and carbendazim according to GB/T 5009.188. Net weight is measured according to JJF 1070.