Bumper longan harvest in S China's Maoming boosts local farmers' income

(ECNS) -- Maoming in south China’s Guangdong Province, hailed as the "hometown of longans," concluded its harvest season, delivering a prolific yield and robust income growth for growers.

This year's longan sales were generally marked by large volumes and stable prices in the early-to-mid season, followed by a price rebound in the later stage, according to the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Maoming City on Sunday.

Maoming’s longan planting area totals 52,026 hectares, including Chuliang, Shixia, Shuangzimu, Dawuyuan and Gushan No.2. Chuliang is the most renowned and primary export variety, accounting for 60%. It is famous at home and abroad for its small pit, thick crisp-sweet flesh, as well as nutritional and medicinal values.

According to local agricultural authorities, total output this year rose by about 15%. In late June, top purchasing prices for Shixia longan ranged from 16 yuan (about $2.37 ) to 29 yuan per kilogram. In early July, newly-harvested Chuliang longan fetched 14 yuan to 24 yuan per kilogram. From early August toward the end of harvest, purchasing prices remained high at 13 yuan to 20 yuan per kilogram.

Customs statistics show Maoming customs has supervised 31.4 metric tons of exports, priced at around 22 yuan per kilogram. Premium customgrade Chuliang longan also kept stable premiums, supporting farmers’ higher incomes amid bumper harvests.

(By Xu Wenda, Zhang Dongfang)