Boyang melons originate in the 'hometown of the Chinese cantaloupe', or Yandian town in Shen county in Liaocheng, Shandong. Liaocheng is located on the alluvial plain along the lower reaches of the Yellow River. There is plenty of water for irrigation and the soil is fertile. Furthermore, the melons enjoy long hours of sunshine in an excellent growing environment.
The region receives 3,000 sun hours per year. That is why the Boyang melons are able to accumulate so much sugar on the inside. Their flavor is rich and under regular conditions the melons can be kept fresh for more than 5 days. This year's Boyang melon season has already started and the melons have entered the market in large volumes. Although the supply season is somewhat late compared to other melon varieties, the Boyang melons are quite popular and sell well, just like last year.
Boyang melons
"The current price is more or less the same as last season. There are good reasons why the Boyang melons are able to secure a strong, stable market price year after year. The flavor of Boyang melons is more fragrant and crisp compared to other melon varieties, and sweeter as well. The average sugar content of Boyang melons is around 11-15 degrees. The fruit flesh is thick and the melons are well shaped. Farmers purposefully delay the sales season by one month to give the melons enough time to accumulate sugars. That is why the Boyang melons taste crispier and sweeter than other melons in the market." This is according to Mr. Wang Lei of Fuping county Shuoguo Xuan Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.
Boyang melons
Fuping county Shuoguo Xuan Agricultural Development owns a melon plantation in Liaocheng that covers an area of 667 hectares. They sell their melons online and offline, especially in wholesale markets and large-scale supermarkets in first tier cities across China with the exception of Xinjiang and Tibet.
Boyang melons
Boyang melons
According to Mr. Wang, "Yandian town does not have a false reputation for their Boyang melons. The melons are grown without the addition of harmful substances. The fields are fertilized with animal manure, and the product quality is guaranteed by protective pouches to help protect the melons against sunburn or other weather damage. The farmers also work closely with the County Agricultural Product Quality Inspection Committee. They established a platform that makes it easier to track and trace melons. This also helps to make management more efficient. Product quality can only be guaranteed if the product can be tracked and traced. And if that is the case, sales will not be a problem."
For more information:
Mr. Wang Lei
Fuping County Shuoguo Xuan Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.
Tel.: +86 150 6233 9393
E-mail: [email protected]
