Peach Sale Dispute – Court Orders Payment of CNY 1,343.25

A court in Central China City has ruled in favor of a peach farmer in a dispute over unpaid proceeds from fruit sales. The plaintiff, Mr. Gao, sued the defendant, Mr. Zhang, for failing to pay for fresh peaches delivered during the 2011 harvest season. The case involved a total sum of CNY 1,343.25, which the court ordered the buyer to pay within three days.

Mr. Gao, a farmer in a village in Central China City, claimed that during the 2011 peach harvest, Mr. Zhang used the village public address system to call on residents to deliver their peaches to him. Mr. Gao delivered his peaches in multiple batches, and each time Mr. Zhang issued a handwritten receipt. The total value of the peaches delivered amounted to CNY 1,343.25. Despite repeated requests for payment, Mr. Zhang never paid. Mr. Gao then initiated legal proceedings to recover the amount.

The plaintiff submitted five receipts signed by the defendant as evidence of the transactions. He also provided a certificate from the village committee confirming that Mr. Zhang had broadcast announcements inviting villagers to bring their peaches to him during the 2011 harvest season. The defendant did not attend the court hearing, nor did he file any written defense or submit evidence. The court reviewed all materials and found that the receipts and the village committee certificate corroborated each other, establishing the factual basis of the claim.

The court found that by delivering peaches to Mr. Zhang and receiving receipts, the parties had formed a valid contract for the sale of goods. The court held that the defendant was obligated to pay for the peaches he had accepted. Since Mr. Zhang failed to make any payment, the court determined that he had breached the contract. According to relevant law, the seller was entitled to demand the purchase price from the buyer.

The court applied provisions of the Contract Law of China, specifically articles concerning the principle of good faith, the binding effect of contracts, the duty of full performance, and the buyer’s obligation to pay the price. The court reasoned that the receipts evidenced a clear agreement: Mr. Zhang took possession of the peaches and promised to pay later. His failure to do so constituted a default. The court also noted that the defendant’s absence did not prevent the court from hearing the case based on the plaintiff’s credible evidence.

The court ordered Mr. Zhang to pay Mr. Gao the sum of CNY 1,343.25 within three days of the judgment taking effect. If payment is delayed, additional interest will be charged at double the standard rate for delayed performance. The defendant was also ordered to bear the litigation cost of CNY 25. This case illustrates that even informal agricultural transactions are legally enforceable when supported by written receipts and corroborating evidence. Sellers should keep proper records of deliveries, and buyers should honor their payment obligations promptly.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.