Changshan county in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, launched its 2026 Changshan Huyou harvest season on Nov 7, highlighting efforts to protect the fruit's geographical indication status and develop its citrus industry.

Changshan Huyou, a citrus hybrid combining sour orange and pomelo, has been cultivated in the county for more than 600 years.

At the opening event, 10 Quzhou-born representatives of the catering industry based in Hangzhou presented 10 dishes featuring the fruit. Twenty-six new products from the county's Huyou and Yuzu industries were also unveiled, including Huyou craft beer and a carbonated fruit drink.

A series of new products made from Changshan Huyou are displayed. [Photo/Tide News]

Processing companies announced purchase orders for 80,000 metric tons of Changshan Huyou, while buyers placed orders for another 15,000 tons of fresh fruit.

Changshan has about 7,067 hectares of Huyou orchards, producing 150,000 tons of fruit annually. The county has developed 117 products in eight categories, with more than 70 percent of its Huyou output undergoing further processing. Some products are exported to Singapore, the United States, and Australia.

The total output value of Changshan's citrus industry chain rose from 1.8 billion yuan ($269.86 million) in 2020 to 7.4 billion yuan in 2025. The county is aiming for 10 billion yuan this year, according to a local official.