"Zigui County in Hubei is one of China's famous 'homes of the Navel orange' locations. Zigui Navel oranges became a regional trademark in China in 2006. Now, Zigui Navel oranges sell throughout the country and are even exported to Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macao. They enjoy an increasing popularity in the market, so the production volume of Zigui Navel oranges also increases every year." This is according to Mr. Zhou Jinsan, a Zigui citrus farmer and trader who spoke to an interviewer from Fresh Plaza B.V.
Freshly harvested Zigui Navel oranges
Zigui Navel orange production area
Fresh Zigui Navel oranges
"The overall surface area devoted to the production of Zigui Navel oranges is currently 26,667 hectares. Although production has suffered from snowfall in the last two years, and this year some of the oranges have relatively rough skin, dehydrated fruit flesh, and low sugar content, their market position is still on the same level as last year. The price has shown no significant drop but remains stable."
Fruit farmers place recently harvested Zigui Navel oranges in baskets
Fruit farmers harvest oranges
Zigui Navel oranges
"We own 667 hectares of citrus plantations in Zigui. We mainly produce the September Red variety that enters the market in early October; the Newhall Navel orange that enters the market between November and December; the Chinese blood orange that enters the market between December and March; and the late-season Navel orange that enters the market between April and June. We mainly sell our oranges through traditional marketing channels, as well as through WeChat traders. We sell in medium and high-end supermarkets, wholesale markets, and community stores in large cities throughout the country."
Zhou Jinsan
Citrus farmer and trader
Telephone number: +86 138 7253 3946