Lychee prices have risen by 20% from a year ago at the farm gate as output has fallen this year due to bad weather.
Manh, who owns a lychee orchard with 30 trees in Hai Phong City’s Thanh Ha Commune, said he recently sold one ton of the fruit at VND95,000 (US$3.61) per kilogram, a 20% year-on-year increase, but yields were down 30%.
Pham Thi Van, another farmer in the area, said she has only harvested a ton of the fruit so far into the season, just half last year’s output.
Though prices have fallen somewhat since mid-April before the harvest, they are at the highest level in years, she added.
 |
|
Early-season lychees at an orchard in Ai Quoc Ward, Hai Phong City. Photo by Van Pham |
Lychees are selling for VND60,000-80,000 per kilogram at the farm gate in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, much higher than in previous years.
An orchard there said its profits have improved as traders are actively seeking out supply and ordering in advance.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Dak Lak lychees are retailing for VND140,000-150,000 per kilogram while specialty egg-shaped lychees from Thanh Ha are priced at VND150,000-180,000.
Some shops selling lychees reportedly transported by air to maintain freshness charge as high as VND210,000.
The Hai Phong Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection said the city has around 9,350 hectares under lychee, 35% of which are now producing fruits.
It said a warmer winter and lack of cold weather have affected lychee trees’ flowering and fruit set rates.
Local authorities have instructed farmers to improve crop care measures and are encouraging businesses to partner with farmers to ensure stable supply.
