"Brazilian lychee stands out from other competing countries -such as Madagascar, South Africa, and Mozambique, which apply chemical conservation treatments- thanks to its growing production and a focus on premium quality," said Brazilian lychee producers and marketers Camila and André Boni.
"Brazilian lychee, free of pesticides and artificial treatments, has found a niche in demanding markets such as France, Canada, Germany, England, Portugal, and Spain," stated the representatives of Brazilian company Britchis.
The company produces more than eight varieties of lychee in its own cultivation areas and its export volume has increased exponentially in recent years. The company has gone from exporting 30 tons in its first season to 70 tons in the most recent one. To meet this growing demand, the company plans to increase work shifts and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The fruit is shipped exclusively by plane, as lychees are highly perishable. At room temperature, it has a shelf life of only five days. In the cold chain, it can reach 14 days. "We don't do a plug-in treatment like in other countries, so we opted for air shipment to guarantee freshness and quality," stated Camila Boni, Britchis' commercial director.
"Our lychee stands out in the market because it is a pesticide-free product, which allows us to offer a fruit of superior quality. This characteristic has allowed the company to position its product in more demanding markets," Camila stressed.
"To minimize waste, the company has developed a line of products derived from lychee, such as dehydrated fruit, freeze-dried fruit, honey, and brandy. We had a lot of waste, so we created these by-products. In addition, the company uses technology packaging, such as Stepac bags from Israel, which help preserve the freshness of the fruit during transport," stated André Boni, the company's operations manager.
One of the main challenges in lychee production is its high sensitivity to weather conditions. During the harvest, i.e. between December and January, high temperatures and torrential rains can affect harvesting and logistics. However, the proximity to Guarulhos airport (300 km from the crop) facilitates the quick distribution of the fruit in refrigerated trucks.
"Regarding market trends, we have noticed a growing interest in lychee as a gourmet product. We sell special varieties with colorful packaging that attract attention in the national market. The fruit is marketed in various formats, including bulk, sacks, bowls, and bouquets, depending on each market's preference," they concluded.
For more information:
Camila Boni and André Boni
Britchis
Brazil
Tel.: +55 (19) 99679-0707
Email: [email protected]
www.lichiasbritchis.com.br