The lychee production areas in Zengcheng, Guangdong, enjoyed an abundant harvest last year and the price of many lychee varieties dropped to only 3 yuan [0.45 USD] per 0.5 kg. This year, however, the warm weather delayed the flowering season of lychee trees in many production areas, and lowered the blossom rate as well. The lychee production volume will therefore turn out much smaller this year.
The weather affected lychee production in different degrees for various lychee varieties. The Crystal Ball lychee variety had a blossom rate around 50%-60%, while the blossom rate of Flavor of Guilin lychee was as low as 10%-20% in some production areas. Some lychee trees did not blossom at all. The leaves far outnumber the flowers this year.
The Agricultural Technology Promotion Center in Zengcheng reported that the blossom rate of red lychee in Zengcheng reached around 30% in March, while the blossom rate of Concubine Smile lychee was around 80%. The flowering season was delayed by around 10 days in comparison with last year. The blossom rate of Flavor of Guilin and Rice Cake lychee did not reach 20%. The blossom rate of Sweet Rock and Immortal Tribute lychee was around 30%-40%.
Source: Baijiahao Leju Maifang