A fruit trader sold out an entire 18-tonne shipment of Henan watermelons in just a day and a half after offering them at 0.8 yuan (80 fen) per jin, sparking a buying frenzy among customers in Beijing.
The trader said he transported the watermelons from Henan to the capital after the fruit entered peak harvest season. Priced at just 0.8 yuan per jin, the watermelons quickly sold out as bargain-hunting shoppers flocked to buy them.
He said watermelons of a similar quality are typically sold for between 1.5 and 2 yuan per jin at supermarkets in Beijing, making his lower price especially attractive to consumers.
Many customers praised the fruit for its sweetness, with some saying it reminded them of the flavour of watermelons they enjoyed during childhood. Others described Henan watermelons as some of the best they had tasted.
The strong demand comes as authorities in Henan work to help local farmers overcome a surplus of watermelons and weak sales.
Earlier this month, the Zhengzhou Market Development Centre announced measures to support growers in neighbouring Kaifeng by coordinating with wet markets across the city to set up dedicated charity sales zones and free direct-sale stalls for watermelon farmers.
The initiative aims to improve market access, reduce farmers’ losses and help fresh produce reach consumers more efficiently by removing barriers in the final stage of the supply chain.
