In early October, the harvesting season for radishes is in full swing. Along the banks of the Fu River in the Tongnan District of Chongqing, farmers in Guizhuang Street are busy covering radish seedlings with plastic film and supporting them with stakes. Although the radishes have not yet reached maturity for harvest, farmers have already received deposits, a practice commonly referred to as “buying green mountains.”
Liu Yashu, the head of the village committee in Xiaozhou Village of Guizhuang Street, shared that over a decade ago, radishes from their village could only be sold locally. Now, as his name suggests, these radishes have gained popularity, making their way to customers across Asia and beyond.
Chen Qiwu, the director of the Vegetable Industry Development Station at the Tongnan District Agricultural and Rural Committee, explained how the alluvial soils brought by the Fu River, combined with fine tillage and mulching techniques, create ideal conditions for radish growth. This results in straight, evenly sized radishes that are highly sought after in the market.
Liu Shiping, a farmer from the Shuangba community in Guizhuang Street, mentioned that he secured a lucrative order from a Shandong merchant for radishes destined for Singapore and Taiwan, which fetch higher prices than local rates by 20 to 30 percent. With such large orders, he found it necessary to take on the role of a “radish broker,” helping merchants find additional sources.
“Growing radishes has turned profitable, with strong market demand and good sales channels. Over the past decade, land rental prices have significantly increased,” Chen Qiwu said. The short growing season for radishes, combined with high yields, has made it a “golden product” for local farmers. Due to the competition for land, many farmers are transitioning while still cultivating, with a growing number stepping into the role of “radish brokers” like Liu Shiping.
These “radish brokers” primarily manage the harvesting and selling of radishes, and they often construct washing and cold storage facilities near cultivation sites. “Whenever we have the chance, we visit other regions to learn from their experiences,” Liu Shiping said. During harvest season, it’s common to see numerous trucks from outside the area, and brokers like him act as vital links between these vehicles and the farmers, keeping busy throughout the season.
Chongqing’s inland location means that seafood and other products need to be sourced from coastal areas. Interestingly, when refrigerated trucks carrying seafood return, they frequently pick up a load of radishes from Tongnan, as transporting vegetables allows them to take advantage of the “green passage” policy, which waives certain highway tolls.
Liu Yashu noted that most radish transactions are made in cash on delivery, or sometimes with payment upfront. Although exporting radishes can yield higher prices, it doesn’t yet allow for seamless cash transactions. He believes this presents an opportunity for export consulting firms, intermediaries, investors, and even radish brokers to enhance their operations and integrate more resources into the supply chain.
“Our vegetable export base spans over 10,000 acres, with radishes being a key product. We still have significant potential to explore in exports,” Chen Qiwu remarked. He highlighted that as early as 2012, Tongnan radishes received the Agricultural Product Geographical Indication Certificate.
The growing demand in both domestic and overseas markets has prompted local farmers to expand their production scale. Chen Qiwu noted that aside from the Fu River, the shores of its tributaries like the Jialing and Qu rivers also have large areas of fertile alluvial soil suitable for radish cultivation. Many farmers and radish brokers are currently renting land in areas such as Nanchong and Suining in Sichuan for further development.
