Technological Innovation Drives Full-Value Utilisation of Navel Oranges in Zigui, Boosting Rural Revitalisation

Zigui County, Yichang City, Hubei Province—renowned as the "Hometown of Chinese Navel Oranges"—is leveraging its premium citrus resources and cutting-edge processing technologies to realise zero-waste, full-fruit utilisation, extending the industrial chain and elevating value for local growers, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Nestled in the Three Gorges region along the Yangtze River, Zigui has upgraded its navel orange deep-processing sector with modern techniques including physical debittering and low-temperature slow cooking. These advanced methods transform every part of the fruit into high-value products: peels are refined into candied orange peel, while flesh is processed into canned orange segments, navel orange wine, and concentrated juice. This comprehensive approach eliminates waste and maximises resource efficiency.

According to local industry updates, leading processor Hubei Qugu International Agricultural Group has developed over 100 derivative products, achieving complete utilisation "from blossom to fruit, from peel to pomace". The company's annual export revenue exceeds $65 million, with products shipped to more than 100 countries and regions including the United States, Germany, and Southeast Asian markets.

"Through technological innovation, we've overcome traditional processing limitations," stated Xu Xiaoyun, Dean of the College of Food Science and Technology at Huazhong Agricultural University. The university collaborates closely with Zigui enterprises through joint innovation centres, addressing technical challenges such as multi-strain double-enzyme fermentation. This partnership has enabled the commercialisation of physical debittering technologies that reduce bitter compounds by over 60% while preserving nutritional qualities.

The county's processing transformation has been further enhanced by the recent commissioning of a 10,000-tonne annual capacity concentrated orange juice production line—the first of its scale in the region. This facility processes more than 100,000 tonnes of fresh fruit annually, complementing existing canning operations and creating stable demand for approximately 50,000 farming households.

Beyond processing, Zigui has integrated digital technologies throughout the value chain. Smart agricultural systems have reduced labour requirements by 70% in modern orchards, with automated transport systems handling 600-kilogram loads along mountain tracks. This technological integration supports the county's 130 citrus varieties, ensuring year-round harvesting and processing capacity.

The industrial upgrading has delivered measurable economic impacts. Twelve villages in Zigui now generate over 100 million yuan annually from navel orange-related activities, with more than 70% of local residents engaged in the sector. Qugu Group's operations alone indirectly support 25,000 farming households, with annual sales reaching 1.28 billion yuan.

As global demand for natural, minimally processed food products grows, Zigui's model of technology-driven full utilisation serves as a blueprint for agricultural modernisation. By combining traditional agricultural strengths with advanced food science, the region continues to enhance its position in international markets while sustaining rural development and improving livelihoods in the Three Gorges area.