Boutique journey of fruit in Japan

From June 11th to the 15th, a delegation from CHINAFVF, including various well-known fruit and vegetable companies such as Shenzhen Jintaihua, the Cangzhou Wangfa biotechnology Institute, Shenzhen Xiyu Huaguoshan Agricultural Products Development, Beijing Zhida Agricultural technology and Nanjing Jiemei technolog, went to several high-quality fruit bases to investigate and study in Japan. These bases were the main cultivation areas in Shizuoka, Yamanashi and Aomori, which are respectively the bases of sweet melon & citrus, grapes & peaches, and apples. 

Through communication with the local orchardists and agricultural associations, the delegation learned the differences between the domestic melons and the Japanese ones: the latter are more advantageous regarding the variety and planting skills. The balance of indexes, such as Brix levels and taste are pursued. The natural quality is also emphasized. However, the domestic ones focus more on one simple index, such as the Brix level. Every process, from seedling-growing, planting, administration and selling, is totally precise. Chinese orchardists treat every fruit carefully, strictly screening them and controlling the quality. 

On the morning of the 12th, the delegation visited the biggest century-old shops for making tea in Shizuoka and then on to Yamanashi, situated in the middle of Honshu Island. 86% of the land there is mountainous with abundant forest resources. It is the most important cultivation area in Japan for the production peaches, plums and grapes. Here, we were welcomed by 20 local orchardists and their associations. 

After saying goodbye to the peach orchards, the delegation went back to Tokyo. We took the Shinkansen and headed north, arriving at the main cultivation area of apples, Aomori. Here, we saw the biggest refrigeration house, the original cultivation area of the high priced apples.

Through communication with the minister of the development department, we learned that the apples of this variety are too big. The production volume is low. The fruits drop before being ripe and are very difficult to keep. Therefore, very few orchardists plant them. 

At the last stop was at a high-class fruit shop -- Sembikiya. The director introduced the stock and gave various details of the requirements of the fruit. ChinaFVF has specifically designed a series of activities such as orchard visits and business networking for all their members.