The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center recently published the second batch of 2026 National Famous, Special, and New Agricultural Products. A total of 540 products nationwide passed the review process.
The Gaoyao Giant Freshwater Prawn, submitted for evaluation by the Agricultural and Rural Bureau of Gaoyao District, Zhaoqing City, has been included in the "National Famous, Special, and New Agricultural Products" list. This brings Gaoyao's total number of nationally certified products from 5 to 6.
What does "National Famous, Special, and New Agricultural Products" mean?
These are agricultural products produced in specific regions with significant production scale and commercial volume, featuring distinct regional characteristics and unique nutritional qualities. They maintain stable supply and consumer markets, and have been officially registered by the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
The Gaoyao Giant Freshwater Prawn: A shrimp with an extraordinary pedigree
The giant freshwater prawn farming industry in Gaoyao began in 1985. Over more than four decades, it has grown from nothing, evolving from traditional extensive methods to modern intensive operations. Today, it stands as a signature agricultural hallmark for both Gaoyao District and the broader Zhaoqing region.
As one of the largest giant freshwater prawn farming bases in China, Gaoyao's farming area exceeds 130,000 mu (approximately 8,667 hectares). Annual production reaches 54,300 tonnes. Production volume and output value both account for over 30% of the national total and more than 70% of Guangdong Province's total.
The Gaoyao giant freshwater prawn is renowned for its rich roe, fragrant meat, and plump, succulent texture. The locally promoted "hydrocotyle + winter greenhouse" ecological farming model has pushed average yields to over 400 kilograms per mu. Additionally, Gaoyao has innovatively introduced three-dimensional integrated farming systems. A full-industry-chain digital intelligence platform helps reduce losses and risks while further boosting yields.
In standardization efforts, 16 group standards have been established and promoted across the entire giant freshwater prawn industry chain, covering every stage from hatchery to dining table. For brand development, Gaoyao has creatively combined "cinnamon + giant freshwater prawn" resources to create the regional public brand "Gaogui Shrimp," complete with a matching brand IP.
Through events like the Giant Freshwater Prawn Festival and participation in national agricultural trade fairs, Gaoyao continues to raise the visibility and influence of the "Gaogui Shrimp" regional brand. Its brand value has reached 760 million yuan, earning selection among the "Yue Brand" top 100 county-level famous specialty agricultural products, recognition as "Top 100 Premium Products," and a bronze award at China's first County-level Brand Competition.
Gaoyao's nationally certified lineup keeps expanding
In recent years, Gaoyao's collection of national famous, special, and new agricultural products has continued to grow. Previously, five products—Huodao Arrowroot, Gaoyao Maixi Carp, Gaoyao Rice, Gaoyao Bergamot, and Gaoyao Cinnamon—had been selected for the national list. Now, with the successful inclusion of the Gaoyao Giant Freshwater Prawn, the district's total of nationally certified products has increased to six.
These nationally recognized products span both crop cultivation and aquaculture sectors. Behind each national certification lies the story of an industry that enriches local communities.
Empowered by the "Hundreds, Thousands, Tens of Thousands Project": One shrimp benefits an entire region
Gaoyao adheres to an industrialization philosophy and industry-chain mindset in developing modern agriculture. Centering on the giant freshwater prawn as its leading industry, Gaoyao has formed a comprehensive development pattern covering seedling breeding, ecological farming, deep processing, brand marketing, and agro-tourism across the full industry chain.
Currently, the entire giant freshwater prawn industry chain in the district employs more than 80,000 people, lifting the average annual income of farming households to over 200,000 yuan. Prawn pond rents have climbed from 1,500 yuan to 4,500 yuan per mu, significantly boosting collective village economic income. Gaoyao has also successfully established a National Modern Agricultural Industrial Park based on the giant freshwater prawn sector.
One shrimp has enriched an entire community. From successful farming to strong market demand, from local specialty to nationally certified product, the upward journey of the Gaoyao Giant Freshwater Prawn exemplifies the real-world impact of the "Hundreds, Thousands, Tens of Thousands Project" in driving high-quality development of county-level agriculture.