(CFP Photo)

It’s now the harvest season for the loquat in Jiangsu. Thanks to modern warehousing, logistics and packaging technology, the seasonal fruits from Jiangsu are sold nationwide, with some exported to Singapore, Dubai and Canada.

Jiangsu has long been a traditional hub of loquat production, benefiting from excellent weather conditions throughout the planting and harvesting seasons. Sales of the fresh fruit is expected to exceed 1.2 billion yuan this year.

Dongshan Town in Suzhou City is renowned for the quality varieties of loquet and is regarded as one of China’s four loquat production areas.

The town is also home to Jiangsu’s Loquat Germplasm Resource Nursery, which was established in 1976. After decades of development, this venue has become one of the most advanced institutions for loquat seed preservation and research in China, including the crossbreeding of new varieties.

Currently, there are more than 20 varieties of loquat maturing in the nursery. Researchers here are devoted to studying the characteristics of different varieties, such as recording data about temperature conditions, soil properties, nutrients, pest control, and yield performance. It usually takes about 20 to 30 years to cultivate a quality loquat variety.

The main varieties of loquat in Jiangsu have also been introduced to other loquat-producing areas across the country.