Xinyu honey oranges (新余蜜橘) hold a geographical indication status and are among the most widely exported agricultural products from Jiangxi. The fruit is small-to-medium sized, very sweet, with a thin skin that peels easily — notably different in flavor from the more acidic oranges produced elsewhere in the province. The main harvest season runs from October to December, when oranges are sold from every platform cart and market stall in the city.
Buying oranges in Xinyu — directly from the outdoor markets or from vendors on the train station approach — is both cheap and genuinely worthwhile. The best quality comes from family orchards in the rural areas around the city; the hotel and railway station vendors typically have good stock during harvest season. A 5-jin (2.5 kg) bag costs about 15 to 25 yuan.