1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 422 Mustard Seeds Back on the Market
Guangdong has no autumn, but Lianzhou is an exception.

In autumn, the mountains and forests are ablaze with color, often shrouded in a thin mist.

Even after walking around the vegetable base in the mountains for a while, Chen Jiazhi still felt a chill.

Vegetable bases naturally have their problems, such as continuous planting of the same crop, which can easily lead to pests and diseases, but these flaws do not outweigh their merits.

Moreover, the Qinglian Highway should open to traffic next year, allowing this base to grow eggplant and tomatoes in summer and leafy vegetables in winter.

Some people are now growing leafy greens like late-season bok choy, but firstly, transportation is inconvenient, and secondly, the market for late-season bok choy hasn't opened up yet, so waiting another year won't hurt.

Another morning breeze blew by, and Chen Jiazhi felt that if he stayed any longer, he would catch a cold.

Moreover, the villagers were overly enthusiastic; after exchanging a few words with each household, they would offer to treat him to a meal.

Fearing that staying any longer would take too long, he and Xue Jun drove back.

There are no rivers on the mountain, but there are reservoirs nestled among the forests, creating a beautiful landscape.

As they passed a reservoir, Chen Jiazhi remarked, "Li Cai must have fished here before."

Xue Jun also glanced at it and said, "It looks pretty good. The fish in this reservoir must be delicious. Why don't we go over and cast a line now? I brought a fishing rod in the car."

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "Forget it, I'm beholden to those who give me money and food. If I stay any longer, I might have to leave something behind."

Xue Jun said, "To be fair, the food here is not bad. The braised snake last night was quite good. It was my first time eating braised snake meat."

"Haha, I think it's alright too."

When it comes to food, Chen Jiazhi is more impressed by Xingzi braised pork, which uses pickled vegetables made from dried late-season cabbage hearts.

The taste is also very good.

This reminded Chen Jiazhi that late-season cabbage could also be processed into products.

We drove at high speed, occasionally stopping to visit other people's vegetable farms. We also rested for a night in Qingyuan and didn't return to Huacheng until the next day.

Every time Chen Jiazhi enters the city, he can't help but complain about the environment of Huacheng, just as the citizens' complaints about factories never stop.

But Chen Jiazhi was just complaining, after all, Kaopu Fresh is also a beneficiary of economic development.

It was morning when they arrived, and neither Li Cai nor Chen Zhengxu were there.

Chen Jiazhi checked the records and found that the stall sold 20 tons of vegetables last night, earning less than 4 yuan.

Including distribution, supply to Hong Kong, and exports, Jiangxin Vegetable Market's average daily output is still over 35 tons.

The total income was more than 7 yuan.

The output is good, but the revenue is a bit lackluster; however, this is the normal performance.

However, the overall production capacity is slightly insufficient.

But during this period, apart from Liu Yunfan, no one complained to him about this problem, because the Pengcun mustard greens and Zengcheng base were about to produce again.

Just then, Liu Yunfan knocked on the door. "President Chen, I have something to report to you."

Chen Jiazhi nodded and said, "Come in and sit down to talk."

Liu Yunfan walked into the cramped little office, still wearing a shirt tucked into his trousers.

"Mr. Chen, as arranged by the company, I've recently introduced some customers to our brother vegetable markets..."

Liu Yunfan emphasized the words "Brothers Market" while observing the owner's expression, but finding nothing, he continued speaking.

From Yucai Market, Dongsheng Farm, Jianggao Fruit and Vegetable Company...

He finished speaking in one breath before his boss replied, "Well done."

"Boss, is there absolutely no problem with doing this?"

"No problem, you did a great job." Chen Jiazhi smiled. "You can also refer the leftovers to the brothers at the market."

"Oh."

"However, we can still accept export orders from other countries besides Southeast Asia, and we should continue to expand our development in those areas."

"Hmm~"

Liu Yunfan raised an eyebrow. The boss not only didn't have a good view of Southeast Asia's future, but even looked down on it.

He was very puzzled.

"Boss, are the risks in Southeast Asia really that high?"

“I recently talked to my peers, and they all said that the profits from exporting to Southeast Asia are very high, several times that of domestic profits.”

"Vegetable markets with export capabilities are scrambling to secure export orders!"

"Many large vegetable markets don't even operate in the mainland market; they only supply Hong Kong and export!"

Although there are benefits to referring clients to others, Liu Yunfan is well aware that, given his salary from Kaopu Fresh, the best way to maximize his profits is still to retain clients internally.

Chen Jiazhi listened calmly; the booming export market was within his expectations.

“It’s not that we don’t export, it’s just that we don’t accept orders from Southeast Asia. If you can get orders from Europe and the United States, I will have the market help you with the delivery.”

"As for the risks of exporting to Southeast Asia, I think they are very high, and we should avoid them if possible."

Liu Yunfan nodded and said, "Okay, I understand."

Watching Liu Yunfan's retreating figure, Chen Jiazhi shook his head, wondering if Liu Yunfan might be using the company's resources to make money.

But it doesn't matter anymore.

As long as competitors' focus can be diverted to exports, it will benefit Kaopu Fresh.

There are many large vegetable markets in the Pearl River Delta that export, but only a few have an area of ​​over a thousand acres.

Dong Sheng Farm has no business in mainland China, only in Hong Kong, Macau and exports, but if it shifts its focus to Southeast Asia, then there will be opportunities in the Japanese market.

Besides exports, Yucai Market has sales outlets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and these are all high-quality clients. Jianggao Fruit and Vegetable Company, itself a collective enterprise in Baiyun District, primarily sells through the Jiangnan and Yuexiu markets…

If several large companies change their business focus, the 3000-mu base in Zengcheng will be able to fill this market gap once it goes into production.

Chen Jiazhi spent the whole day in the office, and it wasn't until evening that he finally met Li Cai and Chen Zhengxu.

The two worked day and night for a long time. Li Cai would at least go fishing occasionally, but Chen Zhengxu devoted himself to his work, which made Chen Jiazhi feel a little ashamed.

During their meeting, Chen Jiazhi instructed the two to keep an eye on the market vacated by Yuhe Jianggao Company.

Both of these companies have sales outlets in the Jiangnan market.

If there is a change in the volume of incoming goods, it means that his strategy may be effective.

The next day, before dawn, Chen Jiazhi took Xue Jun to the Pengcun base in Maoming.

Under Ao Deliang's management, the Pengcun base is as eye-catching as a well-dressed young girl.

The fields of lush green mustard greens spread out like an art exhibition, and every row and ridge is pleasing to the eye.

Chen Jiazhi could hardly find fault with the base's construction.

However, the number of farmers following suit in planting this crop has indeed increased, resulting in a wide variety of products, some good and some bad.

Some farmers have even started selling their mustard greens ahead of schedule.

This batch of mustard greens hasn't been frosted, so the taste will be slightly worse. Chen Zhengxu's concerns were quite prescient.

However, something is better than nothing.

Ao Deliang also scheduled to start harvesting a new batch of chicken heart mustard the next day, which will alleviate the recent problem of insufficient vegetable production at Kaopu Fresh.

After spending the night in Pengcun, Chen Jiazhi cut his first mustard green as the first rays of sunlight shone on the vegetable fields in the morning.

Even without being frosted, the mustard greens are still very crisp; a gentle break will still produce a crackling sound.

Just hearing the sound makes your mouth water.

It is only worse than it was a month later; in the field of mustard greens, it is still unique.

That evening, Chen Jiazhi arrived at the Jiangnan Market almost simultaneously with the first batch of chicken heart mustard.

Chen Zhengxu and Li Cai were already waiting.

As soon as the car stopped, they opened the box to inspect the goods. Their method was simple and unpretentious: they broke off a leaf, listened to the sound it made, and then chewed it raw.

Li Cai took a bite and laughed, "This is the taste! I've been waiting for months, it's finally here, it wasn't easy!"

Ding Qiao joked, "Now I won't have to complain about how quiet it is late at night."

Chen Zhengxu also picked up a chicken heart mustard and broke it open, saying, "This batch covers 1,000 mu, with a daily market supply of about 30 tons. In the early stages, we may have to rely on the stalls to keep it afloat."

Li Cai patted his chest and said, "I can handle the later stages perfectly well, and the chicken heart mustard sells very quickly."

Chen Zhengxu pondered for a moment and said, "The profit margin for delivery will be higher. Later, as the quality of mustard greens improves and late-season cabbage hits the market, the growth rate can be increased quickly."

Li Cai remained silent. Compared to delivery, the only advantage of a stall is its volume; it cannot compete in terms of unit price and profit.

A thousand acres of chicken heart mustard sounds like a lot, but it's still too small compared to the entire Pearl River Delta market.

As long as you put your heart into developing the market, it's easy to increase trading volume, and he has no doubt about Chen Zhengxu's abilities.

At this moment, a customer who came to buy vegetables noticed the mustard greens in the styrofoam box.

Because of its unique shape and prior notice, it was immediately recognizable as the chicken heart mustard that was all the rage in the first half of the year.

After a brief inspection of the goods, he asked, "How much is the chicken heart mustard?"

"30 catties per box, 35 yuan per box".

After Li Cai quoted the price, the man took out the order form, pondered for a moment, and said, "Pack me 12 pieces."

The arrival of mustard greens has brought the stall's daily supply to around 40 tons, finally giving it a chance to regain its former glory after a slump of more than half a month.

As dusk deepened, the stalls quickly became busy again.

Writing orders, loading trucks, collecting money, transporting goods... Autumn and winter are the peak season for farmers and also for vegetable wholesale markets, with consistently high sales volume.

The availability of mustard greens has boosted the stall's daily revenue to nearly 9 yuan.

Similarly, the distribution center's revenue also increased significantly after the mustard arrived.

Chicken heart mustard has already gained some fame in a small circle.

However, this was just the beginning. Chen Zhengxu then instructed all branches to intensify customer visits and even began to gradually offer free delivery again.
This time, there are 1,000 mu of chicken heart mustard, and some farmers are following suit by planting it, so there is still pressure.

The visit was very effective. When Chen Jiazhi returned to his home in Xiaolou Town, Xia Youche called him.

"Mr. Chen, the mustard greens are now on the market, why didn't you tell me?"

Chen Jiazhi was eating a pear when he sensed Xia Youche's distress.

"Mr. Xia, didn't we notify you?"

"no!"

"If I hadn't seen chicken heart mustard for sale at Yonglong Market today, I wouldn't have known it was back in stock!"

Chen Jiazhi felt that Xia Youche's words were a bit impulsive, so he took another big bite of the pear, savoring its crisp sweetness.

"Didn't we not care in the first half of the year?"

Muttering to himself, Chen Jiazhi added, "Mr. Xia, since you've called me, how much mustard greens do you need tomorrow? I'll have someone prepare the goods for you."

"well!"

More than half a year had passed, and only now did Xia Youche feel that he had finally overcome this hurdle.

(End of this chapter)