In the first half of 2025, Guangzhou exported 2,818.6 tons of lychees, marking a 17.6% increase from the previous year. China remains the top global lychee producer, with Guangdong leading in cultivation area, output, and value. This year, Guangdong's cultivation area amounts to approximately 280,000 hectares, showing a production increase of about 30% from last year.
Conghua in Guangzhou emerges as a primary area for late-maturing, high-quality lychees, with nearly 20,000 hectares dedicated to this fruit. Guangzhou Conghua Hualong Fruit and Vegetable Co., Ltd. focuses on the local lychee variety, Jingganghongnuo. To boost picking efficiency, they leverage a data model based on harvesting needs and employ robotic pickers. "A single robot can pick 60 lychees per minute and nearly 500 kilograms per day," states the company's production manager.
The harvested lychees are transported to processing plants within two hours for branch trimming, ice water soaking, and packaging. They are then expedited to airports or ports, with morning-picked lychees capable of being packaged and shipped overseas by afternoon.
Guangzhou Customs reports compressed regulatory operation times to facilitate fresh exports. Customs also ensures compliance with international market access and product safety standards. Enterprises are guided to maintain safety, hygiene, and quality across production, processing, transportation, and storage.
Source: IGD
