September 1st marks the golden season for harvesting and marketing early-ripening apples in Luochuan County, Yan'an City, known as the "Apple Hometown." Red, ripe early-season apples hang heavy on branches while farmers busily pick and sort in fields, and merchants actively load and purchase fruit at trading markets, creating a bustling harvest atmosphere.

At an apple orchard owned by farmer Che Jianshe in Yongxiang Town, Luochuan County, over ten workers collaborate efficiently - some standing on tiptoes to pick fruit, others bending to fill baskets, and some transporting loads, all moving busily among the fruit trees. Che Jianshe explained: "I planted four acres of early-ripening apples this year, expecting to harvest 2,500 jin with considerable profits. These apples from the Loess Plateau will be shipped nationwide through express delivery."

While picking activities continue non-stop within villages, trading outside remains equally active. At the apple logistics trading market in Dongjing Village, Yongxiang Town, Luochuan County, baskets of freshly harvested early-ripening apples are neatly arranged. Weighing, recording, and loading procedures proceed systematically, creating lively scenes of robust buying and selling.

Shen Zhuqing, a merchant from Jiangxi Province, has been purchasing apples in Luochuan for over thirty years and is an "old acquaintance" of local farmers. He told reporters that Luochuan apples maintain strong popularity in national markets due to their outstanding taste and reliable quality, facing no sales concerns. To capture this year's fruit market, he began establishing purchasing points in Luochuan half a month early, operating at full capacity to meet schedules.

Wang Zipeng, director of the Agricultural and Rural Service Station in Yongxiang Town, Luochuan County, introduced that agricultural technology departments provide comprehensive support from initial planting guidance to final sales coordination, ensuring successful early-ripening apple harvests. Currently, over half of Yongxiang Town's early-ripening apple sales have been completed, with stable market conditions providing farmers with confidence.

"Current market conditions are favorable with rapid sales momentum, with mainstream pricing between 4-4.5 yuan per jin. Subsequently, we will guide farmers in strengthening production and sales of mid-to-late ripening apples," Wang Zipeng explained. The town's early-ripening apple cultivation area, primarily featuring Huashuo, Luli, and Gala varieties, covers approximately 2,500 acres with an expected total output exceeding 5,000 tons. Currently, 2,500 tons have been sold.

In recent years, Luochuan County has consistently prioritized fruit industry as its leading agricultural sector, maintaining stable apple cultivation across 530,000 acres. The county projects total apple production of 1.2365 million tons for 2025, including 321,700 tons of early-to-mid ripening varieties such as Gala, Marshal, Qincui, and Huashuo.

Wang Yan, director of Luochuan County Apple Marketing Service Center, stated that moving forward, the county will continue strengthening production and sales information guidance, promptly collecting and organizing market dynamics to direct current farmer sales activities. They will intensify external market promotion and organize enterprises to participate in various agricultural product exhibitions to enhance Luochuan apple brand influence. Additionally, they will collaborate with relevant functional departments to strengthen brand protection, fully safeguarding the "Luochuan Apple" prestigious reputation.