As the early autumn air turns crisp, the fragrance of ripening fruit fills the countryside. Following the start of autumn, yellow peaches have entered their prime harvesting and market season. At the orchard base in Xintan Town, Sheyang County, heavy clusters of golden peaches bend the branches, with their sweet aroma drifting through the groves, creating a vivid picture of abundant harvest and bustling activity.
Walking into the planting base, rows of peach trees display lush, verdant foliage. The plump, round Jinxiu yellow peaches hang densely from the branches, exuding a refreshing, mouth-watering scent. Inside the orchard, workers are busy with coordinated efficiency, carefully selecting and picking ripe peaches. Before long, baskets of peaches are neatly lined up along the field edges, then transported by tricycles to the sorting warehouse, beginning their "sweet journey" from orchard to market.
"The orchard has now entered its peak harvest period. We arrange for over 20 workers to pick daily, achieving a yield of 20,000 to 30,000 catties per day, with the picking and sales season lasting over 20 days," said Li Wenchen, the head of Sheyang County Xinpeng Modern Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. At the base's sorting center, two automated sorting machines operate at high efficiency. Fresh peaches are conveyed along the belts, precisely graded by weight using smart equipment, then packed into turnover baskets for rapid dispatch to markets nationwide.
Production manager Sun Chonghu noted: "Offline, we supply directly to large agricultural wholesale markets in Suzhou, Wuxi, and other surrounding cities. Online, we leverage livestream shopping and influencer promotions to sell across the country. Our peaches have earned rave reviews for their outstanding taste and are in high demand, even exceeding supply."
Good quality builds a strong reputation. It is understood that the base's main varieties are Jinxiu yellow peaches and Yingshuanghong winter peaches. To ensure the fruit's texture and quality, the orchard employs eco-friendly scientific management practices throughout the process, including organic fertilizer application and fruit bagging. The resulting peaches feature a uniform shape, firm flesh, moderate sweetness, and superior quality, making them highly popular among consumers.
According to statistics, the orchard covers a total area of over 500 mu, with more than 40,000 peach trees planted, of which Jinxiu yellow peaches account for over 160 mu. This year, the peaches are thriving, and with favorable market conditions, sales of yellow peaches alone are projected to reach 1.5 million yuan, signaling a confident and bountiful harvest.
The thriving specialty industry has also created a platform for local villagers to increase their incomes close to home. Positions in daily orchard maintenance, peak-season picking, and fruit sorting continue to absorb surrounding farmers for nearby employment, allowing villagers to earn stable incomes without leaving home. "The orchard requires year-round labor, and demand surges during the picking season, providing jobs for many nearby villagers. By working locally, they can secure a steady monthly income of several thousand yuan," Li Wenchen stated.
One peach nurtures a season of harvest and supports a local industry. Today, Xintan Town is leveraging its orchards as a foundation to explore an integrated development path combining agriculture with cultural tourism. Plans are underway to launch agri-tourism experiences featuring spring blossom viewing and autumn fruit picking, attracting tourists from surrounding areas and driving the coordinated growth of agriculture and rural tourism. These "golden fruits" continue to unlock greater potential, injecting a steady stream of "sweet momentum" into the revitalization of rural industries.