Macadamia Nut in Lincang

Chinese Name: 临沧澳洲坚果
English Name: Macadamia Nut in Lincang

Lincang Macadamia Nuts are a specialty of Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China. They have been recognized as a national geographical indication product for agricultural products. The production area spans the following eight counties (districts) within Lincang City: Linxiang District (临翔区), Yunxian County (云县), Fengqing County (凤庆县), Yongde County (永德县), Zhenkang County (镇康县), Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县), Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County (沧源佤族自治县), and Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Bulang, and Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县). These areas collectively cover 77 townships (streets).

The Lincang Macadamia nut is spherical or oval in shape with a bright, green, leathery skin. The nut inside is protected by a hard brown or brownish shell. The nut kernels are white or creamy white and can be consumed raw or roasted. After roasting, they are crisp, fine in texture, and incredibly fragrant, offering an excellent taste.

On October 9, 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China officially approved Lincang Macadamia Nuts for agricultural product geographical indication registration protection.

Product Name in English and Chinese

  • English Name: Macadamia spp.

  • Chinese Name: 临沧坚果 (Lincang Macadamia Nuts)

Origin:

  • Location: Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China

  • Geographical Indication Approval: Ministry of Agriculture, No. 71 Announcement, October 9, 2018.

Production and History

As of 2017, the total area planted with Macadamia trees in Lincang reached 2.2789 million acres, with 261,000 acres yielding fruit. The total production reached 12,000 tons, and the production value amounted to 600 million RMB. This industry helped lift over 50,000 poverty-stricken households (around 150,000 people) out of poverty. Globally, the total area of Macadamia cultivation is about 4.36 million acres, and Lincang’s production area accounts for about 52% of the global total.

Product Honors

  • October 9, 2018: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs approved the Lincang Macadamia for geographical indication protection.

  • July 27, 2020: Lincang Macadamia was listed in the second batch of EU-China Geographical Indications Protection List.

Quality Features

Lincang Macadamia nuts are spherical or oval, with a bright, leathery green skin and a hard brown or brownish shell. The nut kernel is white or creamy white and can be eaten raw. Roasting the nuts brings out their fine, crisp texture and delightful flavor.

Nutritional Value

The kernel of Lincang Macadamia is rich in fat, with crude fat content exceeding 65% of the dry matter. Unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid (over 55%) and palmitoleic acid (over 13%), are prominent. Additionally, the nuts are rich in protein, calcium, iron, and zinc. Protein accounts for more than 6% of the dry matter, while calcium, iron, and zinc levels are 320mg/kg, 14mg/kg, and 6mg/kg, respectively.

Environment and Growing Conditions

Geology and Topography

The Macadamia planting region in Lincang is characterized by low-temperature river valleys and mountainous or semi-mountainous areas with rugged terrain and numerous ravines. The highest elevation of the planting areas is 3504 meters, and the lowest is 450 meters, with an ideal planting range between 450 to 1600 meters above sea level.

Soil and Water Conditions

The main soil types in Lincang include laterite and red soil, which are loose, deep, and have a pH value ranging from 4.5 to 6.5. The area has a high forest coverage rate of 64.69%, indicating a good ecological environment.

The major rivers in the Macadamia planting region include the Luozha River (罗闸河), Xiaohongjiang River (小黑江), Nanting River (南汀河), Nanpeng River (南捧河), and Yongkang River (永康河). Among these, Luozha River and Xiaohongjiang River belong to the Lancang (Mekong) River system, while the other three belong to the Nujiang (Salween) River system. The water resources are rich and the water quality is excellent.

Climate Conditions

The climate in Lincang’s Macadamia planting region is subtropical, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The temperature difference between day and night is large, but the annual temperature difference is not significant. Winters are mild, and summers are not excessively hot. The region has almost no frost throughout the year, with abundant rainfall and sunlight, which is ideal for Macadamia growth. The annual average temperature is 18.5°C, with an average annual maximum temperature of 35.3°C and a minimum of -2°C. The area receives an average of 2108.4 hours of sunlight annually and has an average rainfall of 1296.0 mm, with a frost-free period of 351 days and a relative humidity of 74.5%.

Historical Background

The introduction of Macadamia nuts into Lincang began in 1991 in Yongde County (永德县). In 2000, the nuts were recognized as a special local product of Lincang. In 2002, Macadamia trees were included in China’s national afforestation programs, and they became a key species for large-scale planting. Since the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan,” the local government has focused on the development of this industry, seeing it as an ecological, poverty-alleviating, and distinctive industry.

In 2004, Lincang issued its first policy on the development of Macadamia nuts, and by 2017, seven related policy documents had been issued to further promote the industry.

In 2014, the Australian Macadamia Society and the China National Association of Food and Importers awarded Lincang City a plaque commemorating it as the “World’s Macadamia Nuts Are in China, China’s Macadamia Nuts Are in Lincang” (世界坚果看中国·中国坚果在临沧).

Geographical Indication Protection

Geographical Scope

The protected geographical area of Lincang Macadamia includes the following eight counties (districts): Linxiang District (临翔区), Yunxian County (云县), Fengqing County (凤庆县), Yongde County (永德县), Zhenkang County (镇康县), Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县), Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County (沧源佤族自治县), and Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Bulang, and Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县). The geographical coordinates are: longitude 98°40′–100°34′, latitude 23°05′–25°02′.

Quality and Technical Requirements

Specific Production Methods

  • Location Selection: Ideal planting locations are at elevations between 450 and 1600 meters, with average annual temperatures between 17.7°C and 19.9°C. These areas must have a frost-free period of over 300 days annually and average annual rainfall of 1000 to 2000 mm.

  • Variety Selection: The varieties chosen for Lincang Macadamia are those imported from Australia in 1991 and adapted for local growing conditions. These include varieties such as OC, 344, and 788, which have been approved by the Yunnan Provincial Forestry Department.

Cultivation and Grafting Techniques

  • Seedling Preparation: Mature and healthy seeds are selected, soaked in water, and then placed on a sandbed to germinate. The seedlings are then transferred to nutrient bags once they have stabilized.

  • Grafting: The best time for grafting is in late autumn, early winter, or spring, and the cleft grafting method is commonly used.

Water and Fertilizer Management

Watering is crucial, especially during dry periods. Fertilization should include organic fertilizers and limited amounts of inorganic fertilizers.

Pest and Disease Control

The major pests include aphids, thrips, and cicadas, while diseases like gray mold and stem cankers also affect the trees. Integrated pest management methods should be applied, emphasizing physical and chemical methods in combination.

Harvesting and Processing

Macadamia nuts in Lincang generally ripen and are ready for harvest in September and October. The nut’s inner wall turns from white to brown, and the shell becomes hard when mature. Harvesting can be done manually or by collecting naturally fallen fruits from the ground.

Primary Processing

  1. Shell Processing: Green-skin nuts are peeled, the nuts are sorted, and dried on racks. They are then screened and classified for storage and packaging.

  2. Kernel Processing: After the same initial steps, the nuts are cracked open, and the kernels are separated, graded, and packed.

Record-Keeping and Quality Safety

The production, processing, and marketing of Lincang Macadamia nuts are monitored to ensure compliance with quality standards.