The Golden Nai plum grown in Honghe, Yunnan Province, has recently entered its harvest season. With local plum trees now more mature, this year’s output has seen a significant increase, doubling compared to last year.

“Golden Nai plums perform exceptionally well in Yunnan. In previous years, the Brix level could reach 25 to 30, nearly double that of other production areas. The taste is pure and sweet with no lingering aftertaste, making it highly favored in the market,” said Mr. Liu Huan, head of Yunnan Youth Red Ecological Agriculture, which operates a 26-hectare Golden Nai plum orchard. “We began trial planting here in 2019. After a small-scale market entry last year, the orchard is now seeing a bumper harvest.”

However, heavy rainfall over the past two months has slowed the sugar accumulation process this season and increased the proportion of soft fruit. “We delayed harvesting to allow more time for sugar development,” Liu explained. “In the early stage, we only picked fruit with high ripeness and good appearance. The Brix has reached 20 so far, and is expected to range between 18 and 25 this season. The weather has improved recently, and as long as we get a week of clear skies, the sugar level will rise quickly.”

Golden Nai plums from Yunnan are still produced on a limited scale, with expansion proceeding cautiously. Their unique appearance and flavor continue to secure a strong position in the premium market, maintaining high demand and elevated prices. “Last year, intense competition among traders pushed farm-gate prices from ¥58–¥60 (US$8.00–US$8.30) per kilogram to as high as ¥80 (US$11.00) per kilogram. This year, prices are more stable, currently ranging between ¥40 and ¥60 (US$5.50–US$8.30) per kilogram. Demand remains similar to last year, and large-scale purchasing is expected once sugar levels increase,” Liu noted.

Youth Red Ecological Agriculture specializes in the cultivation and sales of Golden Nai plums, marketed under brands like “Tianmiliwu” and “Jinsimili.” Their main distribution channels are high-end fruit retail chains. In addition to plums, the company also operates a soft-seeded pomegranate orchard and processing facility in Huili, Sichuan Province.