This is the time of year when 'September Red' Navel oranges are for sale. The 'September Red' is a new variety of the Zigui county Navel orange. The scientific name is 'early red Navel orange'. The fruit peel of this variety is glossy. The orange is seedless. The fruit flesh is red and the texture is tender. And the 'September Red' Navel orange is juicy with a lot of pulp. People say this orange can be 'consumed through a straw'.
Manager Zhou, the spokesperson for Zigui County Shazhenxi Guangyuanlin Specialized Orange and Tangerine Cooperation, introduced the conditions in 'September Red' Navel orange plantations. "The weather conditions have been great in the last three months. The oranges have received plentiful sunshine, which greatly improved their product quality. The oranges we have harvested this season all have smooth fruit peels, tender texture, and a great pulp ratio. The average Brix value is around 14%."
"Last year the average product quality was not great because weather conditions were poor, and on top of that, the market was affected by the outbreak of Covid-19. This year the outbreak of Covid-19 is largely under control, and the average product quality is great. That is why the market conditions are much better now than they were in the last two years. The purchase price of 'September Red' Navel oranges in production areas is around 3 yuan [0.47 USD] per 0.5 kg," said manager Zhou.
"While we maintain our offline retail channels, we have also begun to invest in the expansion of our online retail channels ever since the outbreak of Covid-19. Our online sales have grown by nearly 50% in the last two years compared to the online sales figures pre-pandemic."
The Chinese import volume of oranges slightly declined as a result of the pandemic and the global shipping crisis. According to Mr. Zhou, "our oranges are not in direct competition with import oranges. Zigui oranges are unique and they have stable domestic retail channels. The conditions in the import market have no impact on our oranges."
The Zigui County Specialized Orange and Tangerine Cooperation owns an orange orchard in Zigui county, Yichang, Hubei. The orchard covers an area of 3.3 hectares. "Orchards in Zigui county produce oranges in all four seasons of the year. The production season of Zhonghua Blood Navel oranges begins in January and continues into March. The production season of Lane Late Navel oranges begins in April and continues into June. The Summer orange takes over in July and continues into October. And the period from October until December is dominated by 'September Red' Navel oranges and regular Newhall Navel oranges," said manager Zhou. "All our oranges are sold under our own brand 'Nongtaizi'."
For more information:
Mr. Zhou Jinsan - Manager
Zigui County Shazhenxi Guangyuanlin Specialized Orange and Tangerine Cooperation
Tel.: +86 138 7253 3946