China: Guixiang mangoes - ripe mangoes can also have a shelf life
This is the second year that KK has produced "Guixiang mangoes". Compared to last year, they are much more optimistic about their market prospects. Even though their mangoes came to the market four weeks later than other Guifei mangoes, their retail price is 3 yuan higher. More importantly, this price can still guarantee a sales volume of 500 boxes (4 kg/box) per day. KK explains how they have achieved this.
Today's Guixiang mangoes at the retailers and the first class distributors perform well on the market
Quality determines sales
"Even though this is only the second year we have been producing these mangoes, for the past few years we have constantly been looking at how we can guarantee a daily sales volume that is relatively steady. Because the mangos are picked, based on their ripeness, this means that we have ripe mangos to pick, package, and send to the retailers every day. The key to the success of producing Guifei mangos is to have a relatively steady sales speed and volume every day. To guarantee these two points, first of all, the quality of the mangos has to be good. Furthermore, the shelf life has to be long. A lot of people think that guaranteeing both ripeness and a long shelf life is contradictory, but we believe that the key to a balance between the two is in the growing process. That is why we are constantly in contact with the Hainan orchard. We want to find a like-minded partner who can improve the quality of our mangos, and does not have to depend on growth stimulators."
KK is checking the mango quality at the Guixiang orchard
"In 2014, we finally found an owner of a Guixiang mango orchard. We started working together to establish a Guifei mango plantation that was more natural and healthier. The growing process is very much dependent on the growth speed of the mango itself. You have to use organic fertilizer, and improve the mango's insect and disease resistance. By growing them like this, even though they enter the market relatively late, the taste will be deliciously sweet. More importantly, in an ideal climate of approximately 15 degrees Celcius, the shelf life can be extended by 5-10 days."
"When your quality is this good, it is very easy to convince consumers. On top of that, because of last year's promotion, a lot of customers from Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei and even Ningxia are asking for our mangos. At the same time, we have also found a partner on the fruit import market, so through this bigger platform we are able to introduce our Guixiang mangoes to a much bigger audience. When you have a customer base, it is very easy to improve your sales speed and volume."
Sales support growth
"Contrary to the past, this season we have persisted in keeping the sales price the same for the entire season, no matter if it was the beginning, middle or end. We did this because we wanted the investment in the orchard and in retail to be the same. No matter the taste, shelf life, packaging or sales service, we wanted to guarantee that the whole season was consistent."
"There are people who might question our strategy. They believe that because the harvest for mangoes is so big in the middle of the season, people will definitely go to other sellers. We have also considered this problem, but when it comes to the quality of our products, we are relatively confident in the loyalty of our customers. More importantly, compared to other Guifei mangoes, because ours enter the market late, our product is supplied for longer, until the end of May. At the beginning of May, when the supply reaches its peak, we will control the daily amount of mangoes with our growing technique. Because of this, our sellers will not have that much pressure."
"We work this way, because eventually we want to support this growing sector. We want our partners in Hainan to have confidence that this growing technique is good, and we hope that it could even drive more growers to change their ways. While it gives the end-consumers a much tastier and healthier mango, the invested time will also reap a higher return. This virtuous cycle will be very advantageous for the development of the entire mango industry."
For more information on Guixiang mangoes, please contact:
KK (Mr. Fang Kaizhe)
Founder of Shanghai Yikailong Digital Technology Ltd. Co.
Telephone: +86 186 1619 5123
WeChat: quanshiwo
E-mail: 18170094@qq.com