Recently, “Guanyin Green”, the well known lychee variety from Dongguan, has hit the market, and is currently commanding 150 yuan (19 euros) per half a kilo. According to industry sources, Guanyin Green lychee trees are bearing less fruits this year. Currently, this variety has reached its last physiological fruit drop phase. More rainfalls have occurred during this period, causing fruits to crack.
The first "Guanyin Green" lychees has recently hit the market, and are enjoying prices of 150 yuan (19 euros) per half a kilo. There are few local lychees on the trees at the moment. Large volumes of Guanyin Green lychees are expected to hit the market on 20th. If the rainfall continues, Guanyin Green’s harvest condition will not be ideal, thus driving prices up to 200 yuan (25,86 euros) per half a kilo.
Why are the prices so high? It is said that the production of Guanyin Green lychees last year was 150,000-200,000 kilos, while it’s only 7,500-10,000 kilos this year, due to the fact that it’s an “off year”. The scarcity has spurred prices to go up. As the lychees are just starting to become available, many people don't yet know that they now can be picked. It is expected that the lychees will hit the market en masse around June 20th. At that time, as more people will purchase them, prices may even rise further.
Source: Guangzhou Daily