Luc Ngan lychee is a specialty fruit of Vietnam and an important agricultural export for the country’s economy. However, according to statistics from the General Department of Customs, there has been a significant decline in lychee exports in the first half of 2024. The export turnover of lychees reached 23.6 million USD, a 46% decrease compared to the same period last year.
China is Vietnam’s primary export market for lychees. Ou Guoqian, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, shared that lychees are one of the most popular tropical fruits among Chinese consumers, making China the largest market for Vietnamese lychees.
Unfortunately, the lychee supply has been affected this year, with a significant drop in yield from the orchards. According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the lychee output in 2024 is estimated to be around 100,000 tons, only half of last year’s yield. This reduction in supply has had a notable impact on export markets, with China recording a staggering 62% decrease in imports, the sharpest decline ever.
Mr. Le Ba Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Bac Giang province, attributed this year’s poor harvest to the impact of climate change and extreme weather conditions. The unpredictable weather has made it challenging for lychee trees to thrive, resulting in a significant reduction in yield.
Lychee orchards in Bac Giang province, Vietnam
The reduced supply has led to a significant increase in lychee prices. According to local sources, the price of lychees ranges from 55,000 to 85,000 VND/kg, with certain varieties, such as white and pink egg lychees, reaching retail prices as high as 360,000 VND/kg. Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Deputy Head of the Planning – Finance Department of the Department of Industry and Trade of Bac Giang province, emphasized that lychee prices have never been this high. On average, lychee prices this year are the highest they have ever been since the fruit became a large-scale commercial crop in the region.
