Plateau Summer Vegetables

Plateau Summer Vegetables

　　When the sweltering heat and humidity of July envelope the southern regions, let us share the

　　cool bounty brought by Lanzhou’s plateau summer vegetables. These high-quality vegetables are grown in the region’s high-altitude areas, taking advantage of the cool summers, abundant sunshine, and large diurnal temperature variations characteristic of the northwest plateau. In recent years, with the strong backing of both production and sales governments, the enthusiastic support of wholesale markets, and the tireless promotion and scientific management by distributors at all levels, 800,000 tons of Lanzhou’s plateau summer vegetables successfully reach the dining tables of 22 southern cities through 53 major and medium-sized vegetable wholesale markets along the southeast coast every year. Their green, healthy, and safe qualities have also deeply resonated with consumers…

　　　Lanzhou has a rural population of 1.3137 million, an agricultural labor force of 812,800, 706,900 people engaged in agriculture, and 4,323 agricultural technicians. The city’s total arable land area is 3.1479 million mu, of which 1.1706 million mu are irrigated. In 2009, the city’s vegetable cultivation area reached 800,000 mu, with a yield of 1.86 million tons, and 810,000 tons of various vegetables were sold externally. Among the city’s total agricultural output value of 5.043 billion yuan, the vegetable industry accounted for 50%, reaching 2.51 billion yuan, including sales revenue of 2.13 billion yuan. The per capita net income of farmers in the city was 4,001 yuan, of which the vegetable industry contributed 23.2%, or 929.4 yuan.

　　(1) Lanzhou’s Ecological Advantages Are Clear, Ensuring Premium Quality Plateau Summer Vegetables.

　　With an altitude ranging between 1,500 and 3,300 meters, Lanzhou enjoys about 180 frost-free days per year, an average annual temperature of 5–9°C, and sunlight exposure of 1,627–2,769 hours. The region has an effective accumulated temperature of ≥10°C ranging from 2,700 to 3,300°C and an average annual rainfall of around 300 millimeters, with evaporation exceeding precipitation by more than five times. Abundant sunlight and large diurnal temperature differences result in high organic content in fruits and vegetables—especially in protein and vitamin C, which are 31% and 28% higher than those of vegetables from other regions—creating inherently superior quality. Additionally, cooler summer temperatures in the “two-shade” producing areas (regions with both sunny and shaded conditions) enhance the nutrition and excellent taste of cool-climate vegetables. The dry and low-rainfall climate leads to fewer pests and diseases, and extremely minimal pesticide usage serves as a natural safeguard for food safety. With rich nutrition, vibrant color, strong vegetable fragrance, pure flavor, sweet-and-crispy texture, Lanzhou’s plateau summer vegetables excel in appearance, shape, and taste, making them highly favored by consumers nationwide.

　　(2) Drawing on Diverse Strengths, Lanzhou Offers a Wide Variety of Plateau Summer Vegetables.

　　Lanzhou’s significant altitude differences, diverse terrain, and varying climates contribute to a wide range of vegetable types, with over 306 varieties available for export. From May to October each year, Lanzhou’s plateau summer vegetables can supply more than 20 categories and over 200 varieties. Among these, popular varieties include cauliflower “Paris Snow” and “Snow Pure,” broccoli “Oasis” and “Green Wonder,” shelling peas “Taizhong No. 13” and “Taizhong No. 11,” cabbage “Zhonggan No. 17” and “Zhonggan No. 21,” chili peppers “Minxin Early Chili” and “Long Pepper No. 2,” as well as baby bok choy “Chunyu Yellow.” In recent years, closely monitoring the demands of southern markets, Lanzhou has actively introduced a large number of market-appropriate vegetable varieties and carried out extensive demonstrations and planting. This year, more than 20 new special vegetable varieties such as endive, purple cauliflower, purple kohlrabi, pagoda cauliflower, black cabbage, baby bok choy, leaf mustard, and Brussels sprouts have been added. This has largely achieved rational optimization in terms of region, timing, and variety in vegetable production, meeting the diverse needs of different consumers in quantity, quality, and variety, thus making Lanzhou’s plateau summer vegetables highly popular among consumers.

　　(3) Complementary Advantages of Lanzhou-Southern Collaboration Help Fill Gaps in Southern Markets.

　　Based on altitude, Lanzhou arranges vegetable sowing in stages, striving to create a staggered harvest and supply period that extends from late May to early October annually. This effectively fills the gap in summer vegetable supply along the southeast coast and ensures optimal timing for market entry. The vegetables enjoy good recognition nationwide and have strong brand influence, especially key varieties such as lily bulbs, cauliflower, cabbage, sweet snap peas, and baby bok choy, which have gained consumer trust, built stable customer bases, and captured large market shares. In 2009, 800,000 tons were exported to 89 cities including Guangzhou, Xiamen, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, and surrounding areas like Qinghai, playing a crucial role in ensuring summer vegetable supply in the southeast coastal regions. Additionally, exports reached destinations such as Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, and Japan.