I. The History and Glory of Chongqing Three Gorges Citrus
Chongqing, as the birthplace of world citrus, has a cultivation history of over 4,000 years. According to historical records, citrus in the Three Gorges Reservoir area was already a royal tribute in the Western Han Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu praised its preciousness with the poem “When the garden oranges grow, they are three inches like gold”. Today, among the 38 districts and counties in Chongqing, only two do not grow citrus. Along the 500-kilometer Yangtze River, there are more than a dozen well-known brands such as Fengjie Navel Orange, Wanzhou Rose Orange, and Zhongxian Zhongcheng, forming an industrial pattern of “fresh fruits throughout the four seasons”.
II. Analysis of Star Citrus Brands in Chongqing
1. Fengjie Navel Orange: The Poetic Golden Fruit
- History and Honor: The planting area of Fengjie Navel Orange reaches 375,000 mu, with an annual output of 500,000 tons. Its brand value is as high as 38.17 billion yuan, and it has been rated as “Famous Fruit of China” and “National Geographical Indication Product”.
- Taste and Characteristics: The peel is medium-thick, with a proper balance of sweetness and acidity, and a sugar content as high as 13%-15%. The “golden fruit” in Du Fu’s poem is still a hot-selling item in supermarkets and on social media.
2. Wanzhou Rose Orange: The “Lover’s Fruit” in the International Market
- Industrial Scale: The planting area of Wanzhou Rose Orange is 150,000 mu, with an annual output of 210,000 tons. It is famous for its high anthocyanin content and rich fruit aroma. In 2025, the first batch of 28 tons was exported to Malaysia through cold chain.
- Unique Value: Known as the “lover’s fruit”, its ancient tangerine variety is one of the earliest citrus varieties exported from China, and it has both edible and medicinal values (it can relieve coughs).
3. Wushan Liancheng: The “Sweet ” of Rural Revitalization
- Brand Rise: The annual output of Wushan Liancheng is 130,000 tons, which is exported to countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. In 2024, the export value reached 11 million yuan, and it was selected into the “China Agricultural Product Brand Index List”.
- Variety Innovation: Mainly featuring “Newhall” and “W. Murcott”, it forms a staggered supply from November to May of the following year. The pulp is crispy, tender, and melts in the mouth, deeply loved by consumers.
4. Zhongxian Zhongcheng: The “Juice Bomb” That Can Be Sucked with a Straw
- Planting History: It began in the Qin and Han Dynasties and is famous for its abundant juice. It can be directly drunk with a straw, with a perfect balance of sugar and acid.
- Industrial Integration: Zhongxian has built a national-level rural complex, promoting the in-depth integration of citrus planting and eco-tourism.
5. Liangping Pomelo: The Natural Fruit Can
- Taste and Value: It is purely sweet, tender, and crispy, with abundant juice and a sweet taste. Known as the “natural fruit can”, it has driven the local area to build a ten-thousand-mu pomelo sea scenic area, with an annual output value of over 1 billion yuan.
III. The Industrial Value and Globalization Path of Three Gorges Citrus
1. Economic Contribution
The citrus planting area in Chongqing exceeds 3.87 million mu, with an annual output of nearly 3.9 million tons and a comprehensive output value of 30 billion yuan, driving 350,000 practitioners to increase their income.
2. Technological Innovation
- Wanzhou promotes AI sorting and cold chain logistics, reducing the loss rate from 15% to 3.8%.
- Wushan develops deep-processed products such as orange juice and orange wine, increasing added value.
3. International Influence
- The “Three Gorges Citrus” brand has been registered through the Madrid System, covering markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, etc.
- In 2025, the export volume of Wanzhou Rose Orange is expected to exceed 1,000 tons.
IV. A Guide to a Healthy Life: How to Select High-Quality Three Gorges Citrus
1. Look at the Origin
Recognize the “Three Gorges Citrus” regional public brand and give priority to products from core production areas such as Fengjie and Wanzhou.
2. Discern Quality
- Fengjie Navel Orange: The peel is tight and spotless, with a sugar content ≥ 12%.
- Rose Orange: The fruit color is orange-red with rose patterns and has a strong aroma.
3. Tips for Enjoying Freshness
- Zhongxian Zhongcheng: It tastes sweeter when refrigerated and is suitable for juicing.
- Liangping Pomelo: The pulp is delicate and without residue and can be directly sliced and eaten.
Citrus, the Golden Link Connecting the Land and the World
From the royal tribute in the Western Han Dynasty to the modern international brand of “Three Gorges Citrus”, Chongqing has written an epic of the integration of agriculture and technology, tradition and innovation with citrus as the medium. Whether it is the poetry of Fengjie Navel Orange or the romance of Wanzhou Rose Orange, every fruit carries the ecological wisdom of the Three Gorges Reservoir area and the vitality of rural revitalization.
