Lu Wangsheng Fangshan Irwin Mangoes Fresh Home Delivery Launch

(Taiwan Business News) Continuous low temperatures since the start of the year have affected the quality and yield of Irwin mangoes in the Pingtung South area, delaying the harvest by nearly half a month. Although nearly half of Fangshan fruit grower Lu Wangsheng's mango orchard was damaged, he has partnered with a logistics company this year and expects to deliver more than 9,000 home delivery boxes (3 kg each). He reckons this should not be a problem.

In previous years, Irwin mangoes in the Pingtung South area were already coming onto the market one after another in mid-to-late April, but this year has been full of setbacks. First, the pollination period was hit by cold damage, and recently the fruit was infected with mango bacterial black spot. Some farmers even gave up the harvest and simply pruned all the branches, hoping for an earlier flowering and harvest next year.

Lu Wangsheng said that this year, a larger yield is not expected until after mid-May, which will also affect sales for export to Japan and the mainland.

Lu Wangsheng, a young fruit grower of 26, stayed home to help with farming after being discharged from the military 3 years ago. He broke away from the traditional way of buying and selling, not relying solely on transport companies or market traders to set prices, and took the initiative by setting up an online fan page to sell directly to the market. Because he takes good care of quality, the Irwin mangoes are sweet and delicious, and he quickly made a name for himself.

Under the brand "Lu Family Mangoes," he has partnered with a logistics company and is offering 9,000 boxes for them to sell on his behalf. In other words, the logistics company's delivery drivers are also salespeople. Consumers only need to order online or call the phone number of each regional office, and the goods will be delivered to the designated place. Orders can be placed starting now, with shipments beginning one after another on May 26.

There may be a reduction in production this year, but Lu Wangsheng is very confident that consumers will be able to eat sweet, juicy and delicious Irwin mangoes.

From an area of more than 3 hectares, this year it has increased to 7 hectares, of which more than 4 hectares were only rented 2 years ago. It is expected that they will join production in the next year or two. The earlier-planted orchard uses sod culture, with windbreak nets erected around it or windbreak forests planted. With appropriate and healthy management, large, sweet, bright red Irwin mangoes will be produced in the next year or two.