Cao Phong starts new orange crop: Expecting a season of 'sweet fruit'

The new orange crop has officially begun, bringing with it the distinctive flavor of Muong land and the hope of a year of "sweet fruit" for the people of the mountainous region of Phu Tho .

Looking forward to a new orange season

When autumn comes at the end of October, the Cao Phong hills are ablaze with the golden color of plump oranges. On the roads leading to Muong Thanh and Cao Phong communes... rows of trees have begun to "light up" signaling the harvest time. Oranges with bright peels and a brilliant yellow color stand out against the green leaves, an image that makes everyone passing by clearly feel the joy of orange growers.

*Cao Phong oranges enter new season (Photo: Huong Nguyen)*

In the garden of more than 3,600 m² of Mr. Pham Duc Mong (Zone 2, Cao Phong Commune), the 18-year-old orange trees are still green and lush, with round fruits close to the ground. He said: "The weather for the past two months has not rained much, sunny days and foggy nights, the fruit ripens slowly, with a high accumulation of sweetness." His family expects to harvest 17-18 tons of oranges from the garden this year.

There is an air of urgency: people are picking, sorting, packing oranges, and many traders have started placing orders. Oranges are not only a fruit tree but also a tree that can help many households in the mountainous areas of Phu Tho escape poverty and become rich if done well.

In recent times, Cao Phong commune has not only relied on natural luck but has strongly shifted to specialized production with the application of VietGAP processes, quality management, and clear classification. The area of citrus oranges in the district is about 1,700-1,800 hectares, in which many gardens have recognized Long Vang, Cam Canh, Xa Doai orange varieties...

The quality of Cao Phong oranges is highly appreciated: dark yellow skin, juicy fruit, thin segments, sweet taste. The selling price at the garden this year ranges from 20,000-25,000 VND/kg depending on the variety and the beginning of the season. Many orange gardens apply organic compost and pest control according to the IPM method (integrated pest control), helping to improve efficiency and ensure food safety.

Standardizing production helps Cao Phong oranges maintain their position as a specialty of the Northwest mountainous region, not only for selling fresh fruit but also for deep processing and export.

Linking agricultural products with tourism , opening up additional sources of income

Despite favorable conditions in terms of tree varieties, soil and climate, Cao Phong orange growers still face many challenges. Transportation from the hills to the national highway, then to cold storage and large markets is still inadequate. Orange processing facilities, freezers and modern packaging systems have not kept up with the growth in area.

In addition, raising the brand of Cao Phong oranges is a problem that needs to be solved: consumers are increasingly paying attention to labels, traceability, and geographical indications. The district has a protected geographical indication of “Cao Phong Oranges”, but the control, promotion, and opening of wider sales channels, especially online and for export, are still being completed.

A new direction chosen by many orange growers in Cao Phong is to combine the experience of orange gardens with harvesting and sightseeing. During orange season, many tourists leave the city to go to the garden, pick oranges with scissors, choose the fruits themselves and buy them to take home. The space of the golden orange garden in the middle of the hills becomes a unique attraction.

Some households like Mr. Pham Duc Mong have planned to open more experience services in the garden: sightseeing, picking oranges, taking photos, drinking orange garden tea... This is the way the locality converts from pure agricultural production to combined services, increasing income and promoting the brand.

This new crop year with favorable weather conditions, steady orange growth and a stable market brings high expectations. Households with large areas such as Mr. Pham Van Cuong (3 hectares of oranges, Cao Phong commune) said: "The newly-fruited garden has sold several quintals, priced at 20,000-25,000 VND/kg, and expect to recover the investment capital this year."

It is expected that many gardens in the whole region will harvest tens of thousands of tons of fruit, supplying the national market. Cao Phong oranges are not only an agricultural product but also a symbol of Muong land, of the Northwest autumn - where the bustling harvest season begins every year.

In previous years, Cao Phong oranges were not only consumed well in the domestic market but also exported to many large markets. The new orange season has begun with a golden color, not only promising a bumper crop but also showing a change in the way people in the mountainous areas cultivate, from fragmented to specialized, from selling fresh fruit to creating experiences and brands. When orange growers know how to combine modern techniques, link markets and orange garden tourism services, the Cao Phong orange brand will not only be a domestic specialty but also have the potential to reach further.

In recent times, many solutions have been implemented to support orange growers: technical training, seed support, granting geographical indications, and organizing the annual Cao Phong Orange Festival for promotion. The official announcement of the end of the 2023-2024 crop year to protect the brand and differentiate the product from other types of oranges also demonstrates more professionalism in management.
In the coming time, Cao Phong aims to expand the area of organic oranges, invest in cold storage, modern packaging systems and develop export and e-commerce channels. This is to create more value, reduce dependence on simple seasons and raise the brand to international level.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/cao-phong-khoi-dong-vu-cam-moi-ky-vong-mot-mua-qua-ngot-429244.html