Gansu Dong Quai Authorized Geographical Indication Herb Base

Located in Min County, Dingxi City, Gansu Province, known as the Hometown of Chinese Dong Quai, the standardized Authorized Geographical Indication Herb Base specializes in cultivating authentic Min County Dong Quai, widely named Min Gui.

Min County Dong Quai obtained National Geographical Indication Product Protection and Geographical Indication Certification Trademark. It is also listed on the second batch of China-EU Geographical Indication Mutual Recognition Catalogue. Only Dong Quai planted, managed, harvested and processed within the officially designated origin scope of Min County is legally eligible to use the authorized GI exclusive label.

Integrating standardized rotational cultivation, whole-chain traceability and GAP management specifications, the base builds a rigorous quality control system based on origin authorization, serving as the world’s core Daodi production base of Dong Quai.

1. GI Authorization Qualifications & Milestones

1. Early certification: Min County Dong Quai approved as National Geographical Indication Protected Product; registered GI certification trademark in 2004.
2. International recognition: Included in China-EU GI Mutual Recognition List in 2021, acquiring cross-border intellectual property protection.
3. Standard construction: Implements national technical specification Daodi Medicinal Material — Min Dong Quai; core demonstration plots adopt Chinese Crude Drugs GAP management.
4. Authorization supervision mechanism: Strict GI label filing and approval system. Non-origin Dong Quai is prohibited from being labeled as Min Gui to safeguard the origin brand reputation.
5. Testing authority: Supported by CNAS & CMA accredited testing laboratory, inspection reports are mutually recognized in more than 116 countries and regions, clearing technical barriers for export.

2. Unique Terroir Forming Authorized GI Quality

Min County sits at the convergence zone of the Loess Plateau, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and western Qinling Mountains, the natural optimal habitat for Dong Quai:

• Elevation 2,000–3,000 m, cold and humid alpine climate, large day-night temperature difference, slowing growth and promoting continuous accumulation of volatile oil, ferulic acid, polysaccharides and ligustilide.
• Thick black loam and brown forest soil, rich in organic matter and trace minerals, loose drainage structure suitable for Dong Quai root elongation.
• Low industrial pollution, clean mountain water sources, matching green and organic medicinal herb cultivation requirements.

Min Dong Quai features plump roots, rich oiliness, intense natural fragrance. Contents of ferulic acid and volatile active ingredients exceed the standards stipulated in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, forming irreplaceable authentic quality distinguishing Dong Quai from other producing regions.

3. Unified Planting Standards for Authorized GI Herb Base

All fields inside the authorized geographical indication base comply with unified origin norms to guarantee consistent quality of certified Min Dong Quai:

1. Unified improved varieties: Mainly promote purified varieties MinGui No.1–No.6; standardized seedling breeding system, strictly control seed quality.
2. Scientific rotation system: Enforce crop rotation to alleviate continuous cropping obstacles, reduce soil-borne diseases, minimize chemical pesticide application.
3. Green field management: Prioritize organic fertilizers derived from local farm waste; restrict prohibited agrochemicals in line with GI and export standards.
4. Fixed production cycle: Adhere to a 3-year full growth cycle before harvesting; premature digging is forbidden to secure sufficient accumulation of active components.
5. Full lifecycle traceability: Every batch of authorized GI Dong Quai carries a unique QR traceability code, covering seedling sources, field records, testing reports and processing archives, achieving traceability from farmland to global markets.

4. Base Scale & Industrial Operation Mode

Min County’s total Dong Quai planting area reaches over 270,000 mu, among which authorized standardized GI demonstration bases cover large-scale contiguous farmland across 18 townships within the GI protected zone.

Adopt the mature operation framework: Leading Enterprise + Authorized GI Herb Base + Cooperatives + Farmers. Authorities uniformly manage GI mark authorization, carry out technical training, and purchase qualified Min Gui following origin standards. The industry drives tens of thousands of local households to increase stable income.

Benefiting from official GI authorization and international recognition, Min County Dong Quai holds independent import & export qualifications and is exported to East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America and other markets.

5. Core Value of Authorized Geographical Indication Herb Base

1. Legitimate brand protection: Official GI authorization defines legal origin boundaries, effectively curbs counterfeit Dong Quai impersonating authentic Min Gui.
2. Stable quality guarantee: Unified authorized production specifications lock the exclusive superior quality of Min Gui, gaining wide recognition from pharmaceutical manufacturers, TCM decoction piece enterprises and global organic health markets.
3. Export competitiveness: GI mutual recognition credentials become core market access for cross-border organic herbal trade.
4. Demonstration model: Creates a replicable development path combining geographical indication intellectual property protection and standardized daodi medicinal herb cultivation for loess plateau mountainous areas.

Conclusion

As the world-famous origin of Min Dong Quai, Min County, Gansu has built standardized Authorized Geographical Indication Herb Base under official GI authorization management. Supported by exclusive alpine terroir, three-year traditional cultivation cycle and full-process standardized quality control, the base supplies premium authentic Dong Quai for global TCM and healthcare industries, maintaining its status as the benchmark GI daodi Dong Quai base in China.