Wencheng Bayberries

Wencheng Bayberries

Wencheng Bayberries is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Wencheng Bayberries are a specialty of Wencheng County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Known for their large size and pleasant mouthfeel, Wencheng Bayberries have not only obtained national pollution-free agricultural product certification but have also been ranked among the “Premium Bayberries of Zhejiang Province.”

　　Wencheng County is located in the mountainous region of southern Zhejiang, in the middle and upper reaches of the Feiyun River west of Wenzhou City, covering a total land area of 1,293.24 km², making it a typical mountainous county in Zhejiang Province. The terrain is mainly mid-to-low mountain hills, and the area has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, featuring distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, no severe cold in winter, and no extreme heat in summer. The annual average temperature is between 14–18 °C, with the coldest month averaging 8 °C, an extreme minimum temperature of -5.9 °C, the hottest month averaging 28.2 °C, an extreme maximum temperature of 40.8 °C, and an average annual rainfall of 1,772.4 mm. Due to its mountainous terrain—rugged peaks and crisscrossing valleys—the area enjoys large diurnal temperature variations, making it uniquely suitable for fruit cultivation. Furthermore, the land enjoys good water and soil conservation, with no industrial pollution, and its water, soil, and air quality all meet Grade A standards, offering significant environmental advantages. Wencheng County has a total mountainous area of 88,000 hectares, of which 17,000 hectares of gentle slopes are suitable for bayberry planting, indicating great development potential.

　　Since 1995, when the Wencheng County Party Committee and County Government put forward the strategic goal of “enriching the people through mountain development” and building a “mountain-water paradise,” Wencheng County has vigorously developed its fruit industry. The finance department of Zhejiang Province has also increased support for underdeveloped regions, effectively promoting the growth of fruit production in Wencheng County, especially in the area of bayberries, where both planting area and yield have grown rapidly year by year. In 2000, Wencheng County had a bayberry planting area of 1,312 hectares, including 661.5 hectares of productive orchards, yielding a total output of 2,661.7 metric tons. Both the area and production were 2.17 times and 2.76 times that of 1994, respectively. The main cultivated varieties were the premium varieties Biqi and Dongkui bayberries, accounting for 56.6% and 35.7% of the total area, respectively. By 2008, the bayberry planting area in Wencheng County reached 2,513.3 hectares, with 1,466.7 hectares of productive orchards, producing approximately 5,490 metric tons annually and generating a value of 34 million yuan, marking the initial formation of an industry scale. Key bayberry-growing belts have emerged along the Feiyun River in areas such as Shanxi, Yangshan, Shanglin, Daxue, and Zhangtai, as well as in mid-mountain areas like Huangtan, Jinlu, Zhourang, and Liyang. In particular, two “1,000-mu High-quality Bayberry Demonstration Bases” in Nanshan of Shanxi and Yangshan continue to focus on the Biqi and Dongkui varieties. The production and processing of bayberries in Wencheng County have taken initial shape, led by Wenzhou Dishi Bayberry Winery Co., Ltd., which drives three major bayberry production bases in Shanglin, Yangshan, and Shanxi, guiding local fruit farmers to grow fresh and processed green, pollution-free products in line with market demand.