Chinese consumers are going crazy over lychees this season, with prices soaring to luxurious levels. In just a few weeks, lychees have become an expensive delicacy, even pricier than American cherries. Some e-commerce platforms in China are offering lychees at an astonishing 300 CNY per kg (over 1 million VND), a price range usually reserved for imported cherries or grapes.
On Weibo, “lychee freedom” has become a trending topic as netizens lament the high prices. Many recall how lychees used to be an affordable summer treat, but now they can only window-shop due to the exorbitant costs. The high prices are attributed to low early-season yields and the popularity of new lychee varieties like Bai Tang Ying and Bing Xue Hong, known for their attractive appearance and sweet taste.
Supermarket staff in Chengdu, Sichuan, explain that the limited supply at the beginning of the season justifies the high prices. However, with the main harvest season starting in June, lychee prices have started to show signs of cooling down.
Lychees in China sold for over 240 million VND per kg. Image: Chinanews
But the most expensive lychees in China take the cake: a single lychee, weighing less than 100 grams, sold for 68,000 CNY (over 240 million VND) in early June. This variety, known as the “Lychee King of Volcano Lychees” or “Zi Nuang Xi,” is famed for its large size, sweet taste, and exquisite appearance.
In Vietnam, lychees are a familiar summer fruit, and the harvest season is in full swing. Local lychees are sold at more reasonable prices, ranging from 45,000 to 120,000 VND per kg. However, a new variety of seedless lychees from China has recently entered the market, with prices soaring to 600,000-900,000 VND per kg in some Hanoi fruit shops.
These imported lychees boast a unique pink-red hue, thick flesh, and a seedless feature, with only about 2% having tiny seeds. Their exotic appearance and origin have sparked curiosity among consumers. Vietnam’s lychee industry is thriving, with a predicted yield of 303,000 tons in 2025, a 30% increase from 2024, thanks to favorable weather conditions and effective pest control.
Vietnam’s lychee industry is expected to yield 303,000 tons in 2025. Image: VGP
While Vietnam has successfully exported fresh lychees to over 20 countries, the Chinese market remains the primary destination, absorbing around 90% of the export volume.
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On a balmy summer’s day, as the morning dew still lingered in the air, I stumbled upon a fascinating sight on Giai Phong Street. A fleet of diminutive cars, packed to the brim with vibrant fabrics, had descended upon the city, bringing with them a touch of rural charm.
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