The lychee season in Madagascar is much earlier this year compared to other years. Export volume should reach 18,000 tons and Malagasy producers are expecting to end the season earlier than planned.
Once temperature and rainfall data has been analysed and a sufficient quantity of fruit is deemed to be mature, an important date at the start of the season is decided upon - the date that export boats are loaded. This year they could be loaded by the 10th-12th November, compared to the 19th November in 2015 and the 17th November in 2014. Technicians say that “fruit setting was good this year, the load of fruit is higher than last year.”
Every year, tens of thousands of ton of lychees arrive on the international market. Production increased over the 2012-2013 season when Madagascar was able to export almost 17,500 tons. This volume increased to 18,000 tons in 2013-2014, but decreased to 17,000 tons in 2014-2015. Last year, Malagasy producers aimed at a 20,000 ton export, but forecast data is not yet available.