Early-maturing lotus root prices rise, market sales are booming

In our impression, harvesting lotus root usually takes place in September to October, or at the earliest in July or August, but the lotus root planted by Zeng Youjin, a large-scale lotus root grower in Bazhong Village, Foyin Town, Hejiang County, Sichuan Province, began to be harvested in early June.

Many lotus root farmers put more effort into how to increase yields, while giving relatively little consideration to what is conducive to market sales. For the sake of easier management, they often plant only one season of a mid-maturing variety, which causes the products to hit the market in a concentrated period, with supply exceeding demand, the products flooding the market, and prices unable to hold up.

“Only by offering what others do not have can you sell for a good price.” In Zeng Youjin's view, to make money growing lotus root, the harvest time is the most critical. Zeng Youjin said that in recent years, more and more people have been growing lotus root. During the peak harvest season, the wholesale price of lotus root is around 3—4 yuan per kg, while now the wholesale price of early-maturing lotus root is at least 8 yuan per kg, more than double the usual price.

“This year, thanks to moderate rainfall and ample sunshine, the yield of early-maturing lotus root is good and the price is also decent. Because the quality is good, there is no worry about sales at all.” Zeng Youjin told this writer with a smile that this year he trial-planted 12 mu of early-maturing lotus root, and the yield per mu is expected to reach 3000 kg.

Zhou Chaowen He Zuquan