Peach Sale Dispute Leads to CNY 7,542.10 Judgment

A dispute over unpaid peach deliveries has resulted in a court judgment ordering a buyer to pay a farmer CNY 7,542.10. The case, heard in a court in Eastern China City, involved a farmer who sold fresh peaches to a local buyer during the harvest season. The buyer issued receipts for each delivery but failed to make payment despite repeated requests. The court found that a valid sales contract existed and ruled in favor of the farmer.

In 2011, during the peach harvest season, the defendant, Mr. Wang, used the village broadcast system in his community to invite residents to deliver their peaches to him. The plaintiff, Mr. Li, responded by making multiple deliveries of fresh peaches to Mr. Wang. For each delivery, Mr. Wang issued a handwritten receipt. In total, Mr. Li received eight receipts, which together represented a combined amount of CNY 7,542.10. Mr. Li repeatedly asked Mr. Wang to pay the outstanding amount, but Mr. Wang did not make any payment. Mr. Li then initiated legal proceedings to recover the money.

At the court hearing, Mr. Li presented the eight original receipts as evidence of the transactions. He also submitted a written statement from the village committee, which confirmed that Mr. Wang had used the village broadcast system to solicit peach deliveries during the harvest season. The defendant, Mr. Wang, did not appear in court and did not submit any written defense. The court reviewed the evidence and noted that the receipts and the village committee statement were consistent and mutually supportive. The court therefore accepted these documents as reliable proof of the facts claimed by Mr. Li.

The court found that a legal sales contract had been formed between Mr. Li and Mr. Wang. Under the terms of this contract, Mr. Li delivered the peaches, and Mr. Wang was obligated to pay the agreed price. The court held that Mr. Wang’s failure to pay the full amount of CNY 7,542.10 constituted a breach of contract. The evidence clearly showed that Mr. Wang had issued receipts acknowledging receipt of the peaches and the corresponding payment obligations. Accordingly, the court determined that Mr. Li was entitled to recover the full sum.

The court based its decision on several provisions of the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China. Specifically, the court cited Articles 6, 8, 60, and 159, which together establish the principles of good faith, the binding force of contracts, the duty to perform obligations fully, and the buyer’s duty to pay the price for goods delivered. The court emphasized that once a seller has performed its delivery obligation, the buyer must pay the price as agreed. Because Mr. Wang did not appear or dispute the claim, the court had no reason to question the validity of the receipts or the amount claimed.

This judgment reinforces the importance of honoring contractual obligations in agricultural sales transactions. Farmers who deliver produce based on a buyer’s public invitation are entitled to timely payment. Buyers who issue written receipts acknowledge their debt and risk legal action if they fail to pay. The ruling also highlights that courts will enforce simple written evidence, such as receipts, when they are supported by other consistent facts. For anyone involved in similar transactions, keeping clear records of deliveries and payments is essential.

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