In September 2024, "Longchuan camellia oil" was recognizedas a national geographical indication (GI) product, enhancing Longchuan County's reputation as a "National Demonstration Countyof Tea-oil Camellia Planting." As the plumpand glossy camellia fruits are processed into high-end products such as premium camellia oil and camellia-seed personal care items, the output value of the entire industrial chain has reached 1.9 billion yuan.
Discussing the rationale behind the GI certification, Longchuan County Magistrate Zhu Yiwei remarked, "Longchuan camellia oil stands out for its excellent quality and rich heritage. The oil is golden and crystal-clear, with a rich and pure aroma. It contains extremely low levels of peroxidevalue and trans fats, while boasting an oleic acid content of 82.4% and an average vitamin E content exceeding 90 mg per kilogram, well above national standards."
In Zhu's view, the certification is of great significance. On the one hand, it greatly enhances the credibility, price premium capabilities, and market competitiveness of tea-oil camellia products from Longchuan, providing strong impetus for standardization, scaling, and brandingof the industry. On the other hand, it effectively promotes the integrated development of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, driving county-wide green economic growth. "Next, we plan to showcase Longchuan camellia oil at national-level expos such as the China Food Expo and China International Agricultural Trade Fair. Leveraging e-commerce platforms, we aim to sell Longchuan camellia oil nationwide and expand to international markets," he said.
At present, Longchuan County is home to five provincial-level leading forestry enterprises specializing in camellia cultivation, along with 67 enterprises and cooperatives of various sizes. The county's camellia plantation area totals 495,000 mu (33,000 hectares), ranking first in Guangdong Province. In 2024, the county produced over 170,000 tons of fresh camellia fruit, over 40,000 tons of camellia seeds, and more than 10,000 tons of camellia oil. The entire industrial chain generated an output value of 1.9 billion yuan, created employment for 103,000 farming households, and helped increase their per capita income by 5,000 yuan.
广东油茶炼金记：一颗古果撬动19亿元产业链
2024年9月，“龙川山茶油”获国家地理标志保护产品认定，“全国油茶示范县”金字招牌不断擦亮。随着一颗颗圆润饱满的油茶果，转化为高端植物山茶油、山茶籽洗护用品等精深加工产品，全产业链产值达到19亿元。
谈及获得“国字号”认证的原因，龙川县县长朱以威表示，“龙川山茶油品质优、底蕴足，其油体金黄透亮、香味浓郁纯正、过氧化值和反式脂肪酸含量极低，油酸含量达82.4%，维生素E含量平均每千克90毫克以上，远高于国家标准。”
在朱以威看来，此次认证意义重大。一方面，显著增强龙川油茶品牌公信力、溢价能力与市场竞争力，为产业标准化、规模化、品牌化升级注入强劲动力；另一方面，有效推动一二三产业融合发展，带动全域绿色经济增长。“接下来，我们计划亮相食博会、农交会等国家级展会，并依托电商平台，将龙川山茶油销往全国，推向世界。”他说。
目前，龙川县有经营油茶省级林业龙头企业5家，大小企业（合作社）67家。油茶林种植面积49.5万亩，位居全省第一。2024年油茶鲜果总产量超17万吨，油茶籽产量超4万吨，茶油产能超1万吨，全产业链产值达19亿元，带动农户就业10.3万人，实现人均增收5000元。
文｜记者 黄颖琳 胡彦
图｜戚容源
译丨柯妃娟
英文审校丨肖凯欣
