Bustling days in Cao Phong, the orange capital.

TPO - In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse, the Cao Phong orange growing region (Phu Tho province) is adorned with a vibrant golden hue. On the hillsides, orchards of ripe oranges are entering their peak harvest season, ready to supply the Tet market with abundant production, stable quality, and relatively favorable prices for growers.

These days, in the warm spring weather , with mist covering the hillsides of Cao Phong, orange growers are busy harvesting ripe, juicy oranges with glossy skins, bright yellow color, and a delicate aroma.

After harvesting, the oranges are sorted and packed into boxes right in the orchard for timely transportation to provinces and cities, serving consumer demand during the Lunar New Year .

Mr. Bui Viet Bach (Cao Phong commune), who owns nearly 20 hectares of oranges currently being harvested to supply the market for Tet (Lunar New Year), humorously shared: "People everywhere are happily celebrating Tet and welcoming spring , while orange orchard owners are still busy, working hard to care for and harvest. But this is a happy kind of busyness."

After visiting his orange orchard, which is over 20 years old, Mr. Bach said that growing oranges is hard work, and if not careful, all the capital can be lost. Orange growers have applied many technical solutions in treating and improving the soil safely, increasing the lifespan of the orange trees.

“Our people are grateful to the local government for organizing training courses, inviting experts to research and transfer technical and technological solutions for orange cultivation to the people. Once we mastered the technical process, growing oranges was no longer a challenge. To date, orange trees have yielded 'sweet fruits,' becoming a stable and sustainable production for the people. Especially during the Tet orange season, the price of oranges is high, so everyone is happy and excited,” Mr. Bach shared.

According to the Cao Phong Commune Economic Department, this year's orange crop in the entire district covers approximately 1,800 hectares of various orange varieties, with an estimated yield of over 30,000 tons. Thanks to relatively favorable weather conditions and fewer pests and diseases, the oranges are of uniform quality and have a more attractive appearance compared to previous years. In particular, the yellow-fleshed oranges, the local specialty, are popular with consumers and suitable as gifts for Tet (Lunar New Year ).

The price of Cao Phong oranges during the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) ranges from 30,000 to 35,000 VND/kg, depending on the variety and quality. For orchards that meet VietGAP or GlobalGAP standards , the selling price may be higher. This price is considered quite stable, helping orange growers make a profit amidst the rising costs of fertilizers and labor in recent years.

Currently, people in Cao Phong grow many varieties of oranges such as Canh oranges, yellow-fleshed oranges, red-fleshed oranges, Valencia oranges (V2), and Xa Doai oranges.

According to Ms. Bui Thi Hoai, a small trader specializing in supplying Cao Phong oranges to provinces and cities nationwide, oranges usually fetch good prices during the Tet holiday season.

"Cao Phong oranges have a subtly sweet taste, without being overly sour, so they are popular with consumers nationwide," Ms. Hoai shared.

According to Ms. Hoai, in addition to traditional sales channels, many households and small traders have proactively expanded their sales through e-commerce platforms, social media , and chains of clean agricultural product stores. As a result, Cao Phong oranges have reached many customers in major cities across the country. Some orange orchards have even combined their operations with experiential tourism , welcoming visitors to tour, take photos, and buy oranges directly from the orchards during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).

Ms. Hoang Thi Phuong Lan, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Cao Phong commune and Chairwoman of the Farmers' Association of Cao Phong commune, shared that Cao Phong oranges are one of the typical agricultural products of Phu Tho province, having been granted geographical indication status and branded by relevant authorities for many years. The Lunar New Year is not only the peak consumption period of the year but also a "measure" of the prestige of the Cao Phong orange brand in the market. The vibrant yellow orange orchards in the spring not only bring income to the people but also contribute to the lively Tet atmosphere in this gateway to the Northwest region.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhung-ngay-nhon-nhip-o-thu-phu-cam-cao-phong-post1818961.tpo