The Shatang orange from Guangxi, which entered the market relatively late this year, had almost disappeared by March 18th, 2019. Date shows that the overall surface area devoted to Shatang orange plantations in Guangxi reached 233-266 thousand hectares in 2019. Relevant data further shows that the overall production volume of Shatang oranges reached 5 million tons.
Guangxi experienced 40 days of rain and low temperatures between the last week of November, 2018, and the middle of January, 2019. This weather, which is the worst in 50 years, had an adverse effect on various aspects of the development of Shatang oranges, including color changes, sugar content, and ripeness. The color was not red enough. The sugar accumulated too slow. And the ratio of diseased fruit was relatively high. The overall product quality did not match that of last year. This was a severe blow for Shatang orange retail. The average price dropped below the previous record of 4 yuan [0.60 USD] per kg. The mid-season and late-season varieties entered the market simultaneously after Chinese Spring Festival [February 5th, 2019], which caused low prices and in some cases the oranges became unmarketable.
Meanwhile, the trade in Orah mandarins in wholesale markets throughout China picks up speed. Both the price and the trade volume increase evenly. The price of Orah mandarins from the heart of the Orah mandarin industry in Wuming County, Nanning, Guangxi, already increased to 4-5 yuan [0.60-0.75 USD] per 0.5 kg. The price of top-quality Orah mandarins even exceeds 5 yuan [0.75 USD] per 0.5 kg. The price is predicted to remain stable with a slight price increase in the near future.
Source: Wuming Orah Alliance