Cao Phong oranges are in their new harvest season, promising a bountiful crop.

In late October, the atmosphere along the roads leading to Cao Phong, the capital of orange cultivation, began to liven up. The dry autumn sun poured down like honey, causing the orchards, laden with oranges, to gradually turn a golden yellow and look pristine. A new harvest season was officially beginning, bringing with it not only the distinctive flavor of this Muong land specialty but also the hope for a bountiful year, a "sweet fruit" after days of diligent care.

Harvesting early-season oranges

The orange groves are beginning to "light up," signaling a bustling harvest season. Clusters of plump, juicy fruit peek out from beneath the green foliage, hanging down to the ground like an alluring invitation. The 2025 Cao Phong orange harvest officially begins, promising to bring tens of thousands of tons of high-quality fruit to the market, a culmination of the essence of the Northwest region's land and increasingly standardized cultivation processes.

To best experience the joy of farming, we visited the more than 3,600 square meter garden of Mr. Pham Duc Mong's family (Zone 2, Cao Phong commune).

Located not far from National Highway 6, the meticulously maintained and spotlessly clean orchard makes a strong impression with its rows of orange trees taller than a person, their branches lush and leafy, laden with fruit that hangs down close to the ground. Amidst the golden orange grove, Mr. and Mrs. Mong are busy harvesting the first fruits of the season.

Mr. Mong shared that this orchard is 18 years old. Through perseverance, diligent investment, and strict adherence to safe production processes, his family's orange orchard has consistently maintained stable yields and quality. This year, the weather has been very favorable. For the past two months, there hasn't been much rain, with sunny days and dewy nights. These ideal conditions have helped the oranges ripen slowly, accumulating a high level of sweetness.

The orange orchard, spanning over 3000 square meters, is expected to yield approximately 17-18 tons of oranges.

Looking at the juicy oranges with their thin segments and substantial weight in your hand, you can see that the farmers' hard work has been justly rewarded. The characteristic mild sweetness and refreshing taste of Cao Phong oranges will satisfy anyone who tastes them.

Mr. Mong estimates that the total yield from his orchard this year will reach approximately 17-18 tons. With the selling price at the orchard ranging from 20,000 VND/kg, this harvest promises to bring a significant income. Not only is he focusing on selling the raw fruit, Mr. Mong says he is planning to organize tourism and experiential activities at his orchard. This is a new direction, helping to create a direct connection with the market while promoting the image of his hometown's oranges to tourists.

The story of Mr. Mong's family is not unique. Many other orange-growing households also have good prospects for this year's orange harvest. Mr. Pham Van Cuong, in Cao Phong commune, owns about 3 hectares of orange trees, including a 1-hectare orchard of new orange varieties that has just started bearing fruit. To date, he has sold several hundred kilograms of fruit at prices ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 VND, and expects to recoup his investment this year.

Early season oranges are abundant, sweet, and refreshing.

The Cao Phong orange growing region, once known as the largest orange producing area in the Northwest, is showing a strong resurgence in recent years after a period of decline due to soil degradation and pests.

The market price for oranges ranges from 25,000 to 30,000 VND per kilogram.

According to Mr. Hoang Van Luong, Head of Market Planning Department of Cao Phong Hoa Binh One-Member Limited Company, the unit is currently managing approximately 390 hectares of citrus trees (with 1600 contracted households), of which 170 hectares are in the production stage. The main varieties are still Long Vang oranges (accounting for 70%) and Canh oranges (about 20%).

Currently, all households are strictly adhering to production processes according to VietGAP standards. The Cao Phong Farm Association also continuously organizes training courses on soil treatment techniques, planting, care, and disease prevention, especially prioritizing integrated pest management (IPM) methods and the use of microbial pesticides.

The entire Cao Phong orange growing area, covering approximately 1700-1800 hectares, is expected to supply the market with tens of tons of oranges per season. The high quality of the product and its popularity in the market help oranges maintain their position as a key crop, bringing considerable economic benefits.

This year's orange season started in September with the Wenzhou mandarin variety and lasted until the end of April the following year with other orange varieties. Recent seasons have shown stable prices, accurately reflecting the product's value. In particular, Duong Canh oranges maintain high prices, ranging from 60,000 to 70,000 VND/kg at the orchard, while Long Vang oranges range from 25,000 to 30,000 VND/kg.

Thanks to its unique soil and climate, Cao Phong oranges possess a flavor unlike anywhere else: a refreshing, sweet taste, juicy flesh, naturally deep yellow color, thick pulp, and a distinctive aroma. Eating a juicy, fragrant segment of this orange is like fully enjoying the pristine freshness of Northwest Vietnam spreading throughout your mouth.

To avoid consumer confusion, farmers, cooperatives, and local authorities advise consumers to choose products from reputable distribution systems, order online directly from farmers, or look for products with clear packaging and labels, especially electronic traceability stamps and the "Cao Phong Orange" Geographical Indication logo.

Cao Phong oranges are now not only an agricultural specialty, but also possess a special appeal, becoming an attractive tourist product. For many years, every orange ripening season, thousands of tourists from all over eagerly flock to Cao Phong.

To elevate the brand and transform the distinctive agricultural product into an attractive tourism brand, the Cao Phong Orange Festival is held annually to promote and boost trade. Currently, Cao Phong commune is starting preparations to organize the Cao Phong Orange Festival, tentatively scheduled for the end of November 2025. Solutions are being implemented synchronously to maximize the value of the orange tree, with the goal of attracting more and more tourists to come and enjoy the sweet and fragrant taste of this Muong land specialty.

Le Chung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/cam-cao-phong-vao-vu-moi-hua-hen-boi-thu-241821.htm