China: Start of sugar snap, snow pea export season to Europe

“We launched our company back in 2001. Now we are one of China’s largest fresh sugar snap and snow pea exporters. We have a year-round supply to the Canadian and Australian market. In 2012 we received Global GAP and ETI certification and we launched our export programme to Europe. We own two farms in China and we procure our crop from an additional eight production bases," David Yang of Luscious Fresh explains.

“There are two moments a year when we supply the European market: from the end of April until the beginning of June and from October until Christmas. The other months there is sufficient local supply and supply from Egypt. This season we added a third term by successfully launching export to the UK from the end of January until mid-March.”

“At the moment we are busy preparing the upcoming export season. The European market is one of the most demanding markets in the world regarding food safety and quality. We realised that if we want to succeed on the European market, we had to invest in our production. We achieved Global GAP certification. In addition, we introduced regular laboratory controls and the publication of comprehensive reports on pesticide residue controls, which we share with our European buyers.”

Premium quality and an increase in yield

“We own two farms in Yunnan and Jiangsu, two provinces in the South of China. In addition, we source from farms in Guangdong, Yunnan, Jiangsu and Gansu province. All our sugar snaps and snow peas are harvested by hand. We carefully monitor weather conditions to decide on the right moment to start harvesting. Heavy frosts in January hit one of the sugar snap production sites in Yunnan from which we source our crop. Total yield at that site decreased dramatically by 50% to 60%. This has driven prices up earlier in the season. However, our own cultivation base in Yunnan has, ultimately, not experienced a lot of damage. Thankfully the harvest could start around the same time as it did last year and we are ready to send of our first shipments to Europe.”

“Jiangsu’s sugar snap and snow pea harvest is even ten days ahead of schedule. Yield has increased, and the quality is better than last year’s crop. In total, we estimate to export 400 tons to Europe this year. We ship both by air and sea fright. We supply different ports in Europe, including Rotterdam, Antwerp, Southampton, Felixstowe, Hamburg, etc... We deliver to both wholesalers and retailers.”

For more information:

David Yang
Luscious Fresh Co Ltd
http://www.lusciousfresh.com/
info@royalfresh.com.au

Monica
Luscious Fresh Co Ltd
monica@lusciousfresh.com
T: +86 532 8091 4977
M: +86 158 5321 0151