China: Aksu sweetheart apples touch consumers' hearts

"Aksu sweetheart apples are grown in Aksu, Xinjiang, which is located in the outback of the Tarim River, an important oasis for Xinjiang. The unique production environment creates the special Aksu sweetheart apples. The apples are flat, and weigh around 150 gram. The fruit is smooth, with thick skin and flesh, a thick texture, and they have a high sugar content. Because of the cold Aksu winters, they are not affected much by plant diseases and insect pests," states Mr. Wang Yinzhong from Beijing Bai Bao Yuan Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.

"As Aksu apples are annually harvested after 25 October, this year's harvest has almost come to an end. The supply of bagged fruit and light fruit lasts respectively until the end and middle of March next year. However, if these apples have been in storage for a long time, the sugar content gradually drops from 90% to 20%. The taste is the best before February."

"We have around 20 hectares (200 mu) of apple fields in Aksu, partially our own and partially collectively owned. Our sweetheart apples are all sold under our brand 'Bai Bao Yuan' through our Bai Bao Yuan stores and on e-commerce platforms to distributors and supermarkets in large Chinese cities."

"Compared to other apple breeds, Aksu apples are only on the market for a short period of time. Pricewise, they belong in the middle to high segment. In the past few years, our apples have become more and more popular amongst consumers, so the number of production areas and sales points has been increasing. Compared to last year, the market price of our sweetheart apples has dropped around 5%, but because of an increase in the costs for cardboard boxes, packaging and refrigerated storage, our costs have grown."

Wang Yinzhong