The First Batch of Luscious Lychees: A Tasty Treat for Japan in 2025

The first batch of Vietnamese lychees has arrived in Japan on May 29, 2025, marking the beginning of the export campaign for high-quality agricultural products with GlobalG.A.P certified processes and Methyl Bromide fumigation. This event showcases Vietnam’s capabilities in quality management and quarantine measures, while also presenting a pivotal moment for the export of fresh fruits to demanding markets.

The initial shipment of lychees in 2025 consists of 3.7 tons of fruit sourced from various communes in Luc Ngan district, Bac Giang province, which has achieved GlobalG.A.P standards for plantation management and food safety. Japan is one of the most stringent markets when it comes to quality and safety, but for this year’s crop, they have allowed Vietnam to oversee the lychee treatment process within the country, rather than sending their experts.

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the estimated lychee yield for 2025 is 303,000 tons, reflecting a 30% increase from the previous year. This yield is expected to come from nearly 19,400 hectares of growing areas and 55 packaging facilities that have been assigned export codes.

Exporting to Japan requires Methyl Bromide fumigation at a minimum dose of 32 g/m³ for 2 hours in facilities assessed by MAFF and the Plant Protection Department, under bilateral supervision. Prior to this, three lychee treatment systems of Vietnamese enterprises were inspected and certified by Japanese experts as meeting preservation standards, ready to serve exports.

While Methyl Bromide fumigation is the chosen method for exports to Japan, batches of lychees destined for Australia and the US undergo irradiation as per the requirements of those markets.

The lychees are imported into Japan by Senkyu Co., Ltd. (Tokyo) and then distributed to supermarkets, specialty stores, and the Vietnamese community in Japan. Senkyu representatives shared that the product will officially hit the shelves on May 30, 2025, and they are committed to expanding distribution channels to meet the prolonged seasonal demand.

According to Mr. Ta Duc Minh, Commercial Counselor of Vietnam in Japan, Japanese businesses have expressed strong interest in this year’s lychee crop and have been in touch to survey the harvest time, packaging requirements, and logistics.

To enhance the value and extend the consumption period, Senkyu plans to offer a range of processed lychee products such as frozen lychees, soft-dried lychees, lychee syrup, and ready-to-eat desserts. This strategy aims to maintain the presence of Vietnamese lychees in the market throughout the year while catering to the diverse preferences of consumers.

Processing facilities in Hai Duong province have planned to increase their freezing and drying capacity to ensure a stable supply for both export and domestic consumption, with an estimated allocation of 60% for the domestic market and 40% for exports.

The success of this first batch of lychees in Japan is expected to pave the way for subsequent shipments, not only to Japan but also to other demanding markets like South Korea, the EU, and the US. With continued efforts to enhance quality, refine processes, and diversify products, Vietnamese lychees have the potential to expand their market share and increase export value in 2025.

The opening of the Japanese market also encourages growers, businesses, and authorities to collaborate closely, improve production capabilities to GlobalG.A.P standards, promote trade, and establish the brand of Vietnamese lychees on the global agricultural map.