Ordos has achieved a milestone in geographical indication recognition, with the National Intellectual Property Administration recently granting official certification to two of its signature products: Otog Albas goat meat and Otog spirulina. This marks the city's first-ever national-level recognition in this field.

The excellence of Albas goat meat is rooted in the unique ecosystem of the "golden pasture" at 39 degrees north latitude.

In Otog Banner, over 300 species of medicinal herbs thrive across natural grasslands, while the goats drink mineral-rich alkaline water. This environment nurtures meat that is exceptionally tender, high in protein, and low in fat – far surpassing conventional mutton in quality.

Through a collaborative model that includes government, leading enterprises, cooperatives, and herders, Otog Banner has built a comprehensive production chain, from genetic conservation to market distribution.

This ensures full traceability throughout the breeding, processing, and sales processes. Today, the banner is home to approximately 1.8 million Albas goats, with 900,000 sold annually and a yearly meat output of 18,000 metric tons. In 2021, Albas goat meat was selected as one of the first China-EU geographical indication products.

Otog is also home to the world's largest spirulina production base, located amid natural alkaline lakes. The base produces 5,200 tons of high-quality spirulina powder each year – accounting for 50 percent of China's and 40 percent of the global output.

The banner's spirulina industrial park operates under a fully integrated system, encompassing cultivation, processing, research and development, and sales. Its products have reached markets in Germany, France, Italy, and beyond, and the brand was included in the second batch of mutually recognized China-EU products.

In collaboration with Zhejiang University, a joint biopharmaceutical research center has been established, leading to innovations such as drug-loaded spirulina microspheres. These have successfully enhanced treatment outcomes for alcoholic gastritis in animal studies. Additionally, locally developed techniques for extracting phycocyanin – a valuable spirulina protein – have earned national patents.