"Every watermelon production area in China began to bring large volumes of watermelon to the market in April. Overall, the traders were pleased with the opening conditions on the watermelon market. The market is clearly in better condition than in previous years. Those conditions have continued into May." This is according to Fan Zhiqiang of Yuncheng Yurun Specialized Agricultural Plantation Cooperation.
Qing Hongwei (left), board chair of Guolin in Chongqing, and Fan Zhiqiang (right)
Yurun watermelon plantation in cooled glasshouse
Yurun watermelons
"We own 467 hectares of watermelon plantation in Yuncheng, Shanxi. We mainly produce watermelons in cooled glasshouses. Our main product variety is Zaojia 8424. Our watermelons enter the market in bulk after May 20th. The supply season lasts four months, until early September."
Yurun watermelon plantation
Yurun watermelon plantation
"The price of our watermelons is always among the highest in the country because our product quality is relatively good. The current average price is 2.4 yuan [0.37 USD] per 0.5 kg, while the average price in other production areas lies between 0.8 and 1.3 yuan [0.12-0.2 USD] per 0.5 kg. We will expand our plantation with 333 hectares next year, so we can increase our supply volume."
Fan Zhiqiang (left) and Ji Xueyong (right), chief inspector of purchases at Guoweiyi
Yurun watermelon
"We sell watermelons under our own brand 'Yurun' through direct retail in wholesale markets in first and second tier cities throughout the country. We are currently negotiating cooperation with 10 different fruit chain stores such as Shouhang Supermarkets in Beijing, Guoweiyi Fruit Chain Supermarkets, and Guolin Fruit Chain Stores in Chongqing, to better satisfy growing consumer demand and expand our retail areas and markets. Apart from this, we've also held trade talks with the Shunfeng Express to set up an e-commerce platform and provide delivery throughout the country."
Fan Zhiqiang
Company name: Yuncheng Yurun Specialized Agricultural Plantation Cooperation
Company telephone: +86 139 9487 5993
Company e-mail: 980936162@qq.com