The Venus Golden Apple (also known as "Weihai Golden Apple"), which has a unique golden appearance and sweet taste, has become more and more popular in the market in recent years, attracting the attention of many growers and distributors. The new season of Venus apples is now on the market. The production volume and supply channels have increased, but the prices are still high. In order to learn more about this variety, Freshplaza spoke with Mr. Huang Linqing of Weihai Fifty-One Farm Co.Ltd.
"The main production area of Venus apples is in Weihai, Shandong, where 80%-90% of the total production is produced. This year's Venus apples began to be harvested after mid-October, and sales were strong when they first hit the market. Thanks to the ideal weather in this year's production area and the planting experience accumulated over the years, the quality of this season's Venus apples can be regarded as the best in the past five or six years: high sugar content, large size, and good taste. Compared with traditional varieties, "Venus" is new in the apple market. Its planting volume was not large a few years ago, but with the increase in market attention, the number of growers from different production areas continues to increase. This year's output has doubled or even more than last year and many new channels have been opened up."
"The price at the origin of Venus apples in the new season is still high, about ￥16-20/kg, which is basically the same as in previous years. Although the quality of this year's harvest and the promotion are better than in previous years, the lack of market demand and the early Chinese New Year have become challenges this year. Under the premise that the current market is not as ideal, how the follow-up price will go is still unclear. In addition, Venus apples taste best before the Chinese New Year, which is less than 50 days away, so there is a certain pressure on sales. Mr. Huang introduced the characteristics and challenges of the new Venus apple production season.
Mr. Huang predicts that in the next two years, the output of Venus apples may continue to double. Previously, the price was high due to the limited supply, but if the production continues to increase, the price will decrease accordingly. "The ideal state is to achieve a balance between supply and demand in the market. On the other hand, how to improve the quality of apples, optimize the planting technology, and improve the efficiency per unit area of the orchard is the future trend of Venus, so as to achieve a balance between market price and value."
Due to the unique golden appearance of the Venus apple, as well as its advantages in size and fruit shape, there is a great demand for gift uses. "We have 14 different packages, which are different in apple type (first- /second-fruit), size, and outer packaging to meet different needs. For example, the fruits used as high-end gifts are mostly large fruits with a size of 90# or more, and then beautifully packaged."
Weihai Fifty-One Farm Co.Ltd's main products are Red Fuji apples and Venus golden apples. Among them, the Venus variety is branded as the "Huangpangzi Venus Apple". The company has about 200 hectares of planting base, 10,000 tons of cold storage, and its own sorting line and processing plant. Its business includes planting, processing, and sales. Channels include wholesale market stalls, supermarkets, fruit chain stores, online e-commerce, and self-operated online retail malls. The company would like to expand overseas sales channels.
More information:
Huang Linqing
Weihai Fifty-One Farm Co.Ltd
Tel: +86 18863165556
E-mail: [email protected]