Vietnam’s lychee output is expected to decline this year due to unfavorable weather, with early-season yields already down 35-50% to 85,000-90,000 tonnes.
Vietnam currently has about 55,000 hectares under lychee, located largely in northern localities.
Bac Ninh Province, the largest grower with 29,800 ha, is expected to harvest 95,000 tonnes of the fruit this year, just 59.5% of its annual target and down more than 55% from 215,000 tonnes last year.
However, authorities noted that this estimate is based on current flowering conditions, and actual output could be higher.
Output in Hai Phong City, which has around 9,345 ha under the fruit, is estimated to slide to 55,000 tonnes.
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Lychees in northern Vietnam. Photo from a lychee wholesale market |
Lower early-season yields have driven up prices, with lychee currently selling for VND50,000-95,000 (US$1.90-3.60) per kilogram at farm gates and up to VND210,000 at retailers.
The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection noted that a warmer winter late last year and prolonged drizzling rain and fog in February and March disrupted the flowering process. Many orchards have reported issues such as uneven flowering, which reduced fruit set rates.
Major lychee-growing regions in China have also reported poor flowering, with local media citing an unusually warm winter and poorly timed humid conditions. After a bumper harvest last year, lychee trees there are also entering a natural low-yield cycle.
