In Huaping County, Lijiang, Yunnan province, mango plantations span the landscape, involving nearly 100,000 residents in the industry, now a key economic component.
"Selecting appropriate cultivars forms the foundation of premium mango cultivation," stated Zhang Guohui, director of the Huaping County Mango Industry Development Center.
The Lijiang Red Mango, a mid-season variety, sells at 5-6 yuan ($0.69-0.83) per 500 grams, noted for its balanced sweetness and visual appeal. Zhang mentioned trial cultivation started in 2006, with broader market adoption in the last two to three years.
The county's strategy includes optimizing mango varieties, introducing new cultivars, and offering farmer training programs. Chen Xingqin, a grower from Guozishan village, manages multiple mango varieties. He remarked, "Multiple varieties complicate farm management, yet monoculture exposes growers to financial instability during price fluctuations."
Quality is vital for market success. Zhang observed, "As mango cultivation constitutes the primary income source for numerous Huaping farmers, they demonstrate a strong commitment to orchard management investments." He highlighted that management practices result in yield and quality variations, affecting per-mu output value by three to fourfold.
Huaping's quality enhancement measures include conserving germplasm resources, maintaining soil fertility, modern cultivation techniques, and reducing chemical inputs and orchard density.
Brand development increases product value. While wholesale mangoes are priced at 2 yuan per 500 grams, sorting and packaging elevate market prices. "Standardized grading and enhanced quality control enable premium pricing," said Zou Jie, general manager of a local mango enterprise.
Huaping County's focus on brand-building for "Lijiang Mango" aims to enhance recognition and market reputation. The industry's growth depends on advancing infrastructure like cold chain logistics, storage, and processing technologies, expanding from basic dried mango production to refined products like mango pulp.
Official statistics indicate Huaping's mango-related agricultural output reached 3.05 billion yuan ($421 million) in 2024, led by the county's golden mangoes.
Source: People's Daily Online