Where Are Ham Yen Oranges Grown?
Ham Yen district predominantly features a mountainous terrain, covering approximately 91.36% of its total area. Among these mountains, rocky hills account for about 8.64% of the hilly areas, primarily distributed across several communes such as Yen Thuan, Bach Xa, Minh Khuong, Phu Luu, Minh Huong, Thai Son, Thai Hoa, and Yen Phu. This region boasts distinctive landscapes, with two high mountain ranges and deeply incised valleys, averaging around 650 meters above sea level. The total natural area of the district is approximately 90,092.53 hectares, with agricultural land covering 11,403 hectares, accounting for 12.66%, while forestry land extends over 68,193.67 hectares, making up 75.69% of the total area. Aquaculture spans across 403.85 hectares, representing 0.45%, and various other land types encompass 10,092.01 hectares, comprising 11.2%. The forest coverage is 60.03%.
In terms of its river and irrigation system, Ham Yen district benefits from an extensive network of streams and rivers, spanning approximately 455 kilometers. In which, the Lo River, with a length of 68.8 kilometers, traverses the district, playing a crucial role in supporting agricultural irrigation requirements.
The Climate Characteristics of the Ham Yen Orange-Growing Region
Ham Yen oranges are cultivated in various communes within Ham Yen district, Tuyen Quang province. These communes include Yen Thuan, Bach Xa, Minh Khuong, Yen Lam, Minh Dan, Phu Luu, Minh Huong, Yen Phu, Tan Thanh, Binh Xa, Thai Son, Nhan Muc, Thanh Long, Bang Coc, Thai Hoa, Duc Ninh, Hung Duc, and the town of Tan Yen, all of which fall under the jurisdiction of Ham Yen district.
These communes boast fertile soil and a climate suitable for orange cultivation. The terrain is characterized by gently sloping landscapes, with distinctive red-yellow soil derived from clay and basaltic rock. This type of soil is rich in nutrients, moisture-retentive, ideal for plant growth, slightly acidic, and high in iron and aluminum oxide content. The soil layer is deep, porous, and easily crumbled.
The climate of the Ham Yen orangery exhibits distinct seasonal patterns, with a dry season from November to March and a rainy season from April to October each year. The average annual temperature is around 23 degrees Celsius, and the average annual rainfall ranges from 1,600 to 1,800 millimeters, with a concentration during the rainy season. This climate pattern is conducive to the favorable development of orange fruit during the rainy season when moisture levels are high, while the dry season with low humidity, reduced rainfall, and lower temperatures is suitable for fruit harvesting, flowering, and fruit setting for the next growing season.
The climate conditions, in combination with factors related to soil fertility, are greatly influenced by the topography of the region. These factors collectively provide the Ham Yen orangery with all the necessary elements to produce high-quality oranges with distinctive characteristics.
The Characteristics of Ham Yen Oranges
Ham Yen oranges are known for their delightful fragrance, owing to the high content of orange essential oil found in the fruit's peel. These oranges typically weigh between 280.41 grams and 344.89 grams, with a diameter ranging from 8.04 cm to 9.20 cm and a height from 6.08 cm to 7.80 cm. The peel thickness varies from 3.20 mm to 5.99 mm, and it has a deep orange color. The fruit contains numerous seeds, typically ranging from 20 to 25 seeds per orange.
When ripe, Ham Yen oranges offer a sweet, mildly tangy taste, devoid of any astringency or bitterness. They have a relatively high water content, ranging from 86.14% to 91.99%, total acidity from 0.60% to 0.99%, total sugar content from 8.00% to 9.87%, and vitamin C content from 40.21 mg/100g to 49.97 mg/100g. The Brix level ranges from 9.03 obx to 10.96 obx.
Where Can You Find Ham Yen Oranges and Is It Possible to Invest in Orange Juice Production?
Based on the domestic market survey, Ham Yen oranges are available at various locations, including local markets within the province, stores promoting locally-made products in both the province and Hanoi, OCOP (One Commune, One Product) stores, supermarkets, commercial centers, convenience stores like Big C, Vinmart & Vinmart+, Fivimart, Citimart, and various e-commerce platforms such as Sen do, Vo so, and PostMart. Annually, Ham Yen oranges yield an average of 70,000 – 80,000 tons of fruit. However, the agricultural output for 2021-2022 was 70,000 tons, marking a decrease of 20,000 tons compared to the previous year. The prices at the orchards range from 8,000 – 10,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram. Notably, organic oranges with geographical indications can be sold at prices ranging from 28,000 - 30,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.
Ham Yen oranges can be used to produce various products, including orange essential oil, fresh fruit juice, orange peel compost for organic farming, and biological mulch. Orange blossoms can also be distilled for orange essential oil, which can be used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Due to its high vitamin C content, Ham Yen oranges have antioxidant properties, promoting blood vessel health and contributing to skin rejuvenation. With its production volume and chemical composition, Ham Yen oranges meet the standards for processing into products for the medical, cosmetic, and beverage industries.
Thanh Hiếu
