The Dongshan Baiyu Loquat, produced in Suzhou, China, is known for its high sweetness, juiciness and tenderness. A single fruit weighs more than 25 grams. In recent years, driven by the e-commerce economy, the popularity and price of Dongshan Baiyu Loquat have been improved, and the planting area has continued to expand.
Dongshan Baiyu Loquat is one of the main products of Dongshan Furao Zhenhua Agricultural Products Business Department in Wuzhong District. Mr. Rao Zhenghua, from the company, introduced this variety to Freshplaza.
"Dongshan Baiyu loquats are usually ripe and on the market on May 10 every year, and the supply period is about 20-25 days. This year, due to the impact of cold waves in the winter, the launch time has been postponed by about a week. It will be on the market between May 15-18, and the output is lower than in previous years. It is estimated that the price will rise accordingly."
It is understood that the cold wave weather that started earlier this year made the local temperature lower than the acceptable range of young loquat fruits, which led to a reduction in production and a delay in the market.
Talking about the market situation this year, Rao expressed that he was not optimistic. "The price is relatively high. Last year, the retail price of fruit shops reached ￥100/kg. This year's production is reduced, and the price is estimated to be higher, but the current market consumption is relatively weak, and sales pressure is high.
"On the other hand, due to the development of the e-commerce economy in recent years, local loquat growers have cultivated a business model of self-produced and selling to regular customers, and only part of the fruit is reserved for purchasers or middlemen. As the pressure to purchase becomes more apparent, Rao's company has also begun to grow its own loquats and is gradually expanding the planting area.
"In recent years, a new variety "Guanyu" has been derived from the Baiyu Loquat. The ripening time of this variety is relatively late, the weight of a single fruit is more than 30 grams, the taste is sweet and sour, and the current output is small." Rao introduced the new developments.
Dongshan Furao Zhenhua Agricultural Products Business Department in Wuzhong District has the main products including Dongshan Baiyu loquat, red bayberry, and Biluochun tea. Baiyu loquats are individually packaged in cotton with small holes for delivery. The sales channels are Pagoda and some online platforms, including drop-shipping.