The traditional Chinese Spring Festival [25 January, 2020] is approaching. Fruit traders supply the Chinese market with large volumes of fruit during this period. Even Hainan watermelons are sold in larger volumes, despite the fact that this is the off-season.
Mr. Fan Zhiqiang of Yurun (Beijing) Agricultural Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. recently talked about the conditions in the Chinese watermelon market: "The two main watermelon varieties we currently offer for sale are the Unicorn watermelon and the Melon Princess watermelon. This is the first year that we produce the Melon Princess watermelon for the Chinese market. For some fruits the market slowed down this year, but the market demand for watermelons remains huge. Our Melon Princess watermelon sells for 6 yuan [0.86 USD] per 0.5 kg. This is quite a good price to achieve in only one year."
Unicorn watermelons enter the market in Yunnan in November. Most of the watermelons sold by Yurun come from Yunnan. However, the watermelon production in Yunnan comes to an end after the beginning of December. At that time, watermelons from Hainan dominate the market.
"In comparison with last year, the market conditions for Hainan watermelons are much better this year. This is mainly because the watermelons from production areas in Hainan, Yunnan, and Guangdong entered the market around the same time last year. As a result, watermelon supply greatly exceeded market demand. This year, the watermelons from Hainan, Yunnan, and Guangdong will enter the markets one after the other. This creates a buffer that reduces competition between watermelons from the different production areas. Yunnan produces autumn watermelons and spring watermelons. The production season of autumn watermelons is already over. The spring watermelons enter the market after February 20th. In this gap between autumn and spring watermelons, we sell Melon Princess watermelons from Hainan to guarantee a continuous supply of top-quality watermelons for our customers."
When asked about the Melon Princess watermelon, Mr. Fan Zhiqiang replied, "Yurun specializes in small watermelon varieties. The Melon Princess watermelon is based on the Daxing watermelon variety that has more than 15 years of plantation history. We introduced this watermelon variety from abroad and farmers with advanced horticultural technology spent years to perfect this variety. The flavor is pure and the fruit flesh is both delicate and juicy. The Melon Princess watermelon variety is quite sweet with a sugar content of more than 13. The watermelon looks small and exquisite. The watermelons are subject to strict selection procedures and the packaging is refined. Yurun company has become a leader in the high-level development of the Chinese watermelon industry by setting up a brand with recognizable product culture."
Yurun mainly sells watermelons through fruit chain stores and supermarkets. "The northeast of China is cold, sometimes below minus 20 degrees Celsius. People keep their homes warm, but the heating dries out the air inside. Eating watermelon helps people maintain hydration. Our sales volume of watermelons in northeast China therefore slightly increased. This is the best time to sell watermelons. The watermelon price is quite good before the 1st of May. Every year after the 1st of May, the price of watermelons drops to around 3 yuan [0.43 USD] per 0.5 kg. Although the temperatures rise around that time of year, so does the supply volume of watermelons."
The headquarters of Yurun (Beijing) Agricultural Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. is located in Panggezhuangzhen, Beijing. Panggezhuangzhen is part of the Chinese hometown of watermelons in Daxing District, Beijing. Watermelons in this area can boast of more than 600 years of plantation history.
Yurun is a specialized management company. The company develops unique service methods that connect production areas with marketing and retail companies. In order to improve competitive strength, Yurun company established the production area as the core from which the company undertakes nationwide watermelon distribution. In addition, it is worth noting that the founder of the Yurun brand, Mr. Zhang Shitong, was an invited guest at the official celebration of the 70th National Day of the PRC.
For more information:
Mr. Fan Zhiqiang
Yurun (Beijing) Agricultural Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Tel.: +86 139 9487 5993
E-mail: [email protected]