Anh Son lotus oranges are in high demand even before the season begins.

Currently, the orange gardens in Anh Son are starting to ripen. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Currently, Anh Son district has about 23 hectares.orange, grown mainly in Khai Son commune. At this time, pomelo growers are actively clearing branches, nurturing fruits... preparing for a bumper crop of pomelos.

Mr. Le Anh Vuong's family (Hamlet 9, Khai Son Commune) grows 1.2 hectares of lotus oranges, and is expected to produce 6-7 tons of fruit this year. Mr. Vuong excitedly said: "Thanks to proper care and providing enough nutrients for the trees, the oranges grow well and bear a lot of fruit. This year, other types of oranges ripen early and the fruit falls a lot, so it is expected that lotus oranges will be more expensive than every year. Currently, we are focusing on pruning small, bad fruits, focusing on nurturing large fruits, and supporting branches so that the oranges do not fall to the ground, affecting the quality and color of the fruit."

Orange trees are so heavy with fruit that people have to use bamboo poles to support them. At this time, the gardens focus on nurturing the fruit, waiting for harvest day. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Orange is considered a type ofAnh Son specialty fruit.The characteristics of this orange variety are its shiny skin, beautiful orange-yellow color, flat round fruit, sweet taste and crispy pulp. In particular, the oranges ripen right on the occasion of Lunar New Year so they are in high demand and have good prices. Up to now, many orange gardens in Khai Son commune have received many orders from within and outside the province even though the harvest is still 1 month away.

Mr. Phan Van Ngoc's family is very excited to have a bumper orange crop. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Pham Van Ngoc's family (Hamlet 1, Khai Son) has 1,000 lotus orange trees planted in 3 hectares of hill garden. This year's orange crop is expected to yield 15 tons of fruit.

“Currently, the oranges are starting to ripen, around the beginning of the 12th lunar month, they are ready for harvest until the 15th of the first lunar month. This year's oranges have a lot of fruit, no pests, so the fruit is big, even, and beautiful. In previous years, my orange garden always "sold out". This year, although it is not yet the harvest season, many customers have come to the garden to see and place deposits; there are regular customers in Hanoi who have called to order in advance," said Mr. Ngoc.

There is still 1 month until harvest season, but this time, many customers come to the garden to visit and place orders. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Not only Mr. Ngoc's orange garden but also most of the lotus orange gardens in Khai Son commune have orders from regular customers, mainly traders who come to buy at the garden, people rarely have to go to retail. In previous years, the price of lotus oranges fluctuated from 60,000 - 100,000 VND/kg, and as soon as they were harvested, they were sold out, with no inventory or stagnation.

This year’s Tet orange crop, the output of oranges in Anh Son is expected to be nearly 300 tons, the price of oranges is predicted to be higher than previous years and is at 80,000 - 120,000 VND/kg, bringing in revenue of over 20 billion VND. Currently, many orange gardens are green, the fruits are hanging on the branches but have "owners", so the growers of oranges in Anh Son are very excited.

Anh Son lotus oranges ripen during the Lunar New Year, have high prices but are still popular with consumers. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Nguyen Truong Phi - Vice Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Anh Son district said: "With its unique characteristics, Anh Son lotus oranges have become a famous specialty, chosen to decorate the altar on Tet holiday, chosen as Tet gifts... Oranges ripen right on the occasion of Lunar New Year so they are easy to sell and sell at high prices. In terms of economic efficiency, they are many times higher than other crops. Most people now grow oranges according to VietGAP standards, so costs are reduced and profits are higher. In particular, the quality of oranges is increasingly improved, and they have been awarded "3 stars" OCOP, so people are very conscious in preserving the lotus orange brand"./.