Feizixiao lychees from Hainan, China, have now entered the market in large quantities, with Baitangying lychees also beginning to arrive. Due to weather conditions, Hainan's lychee season has been delayed by about half a month compared to previous years. Despite the delay, overall yields are strong.
"This year is a bumper harvest for lychees, with both output and quality greatly improved compared to last year," said Ms. Jin Jie, head of Hainan Guoyuan E-commerce Co., Ltd. "The first batch of Feizixiao lychees we harvested reached a Brix level of 21, with two-thirds of the fruit surface turning red. Although it's still early in the season, Feizixiao prices have stabilized, with orchard prices at around ¥30 (US$0.22) per kilogram, which is lower than the same period in previous years. The taste of Baitangying lychees has also improved significantly."
Currently, lychees from southern Hainan dominate the market. Lychees from northern Hainan are expected to arrive around May 17–18. "In the past, the harvest gap between southern and northern Hainan lychees was about 15–20 days. This year, that gap has narrowed, and with good harvests in both regions, prices have declined more rapidly," Jin explained.
Regarding exports, Jin noted that demand is steadily increasing and overseas markets are performing well. "We started exporting small quantities of Feizixiao lychees earlier this month. So far, we've completed three batches, with each shipment larger than the last. For existing customers, we provide customized pricing strategies based on market trends to ensure stability." Thanks to improved quality and stable pricing, export demand remains strong. "When there's no heavy price pressure in export markets, good-quality lychees naturally attract strong demand. Currently, prices are generally stable," Jin added. To maintain fruit quality, Jin recommends air transportation for markets requiring 7–8 days of shipping time, while sea transportation remains the primary option for nearby Southeast Asian markets.
Looking ahead, varieties such as Hainan's "Lychee King" and Guangdong's "Guiwei" are expected to enter the market soon. "From what we're seeing in the orchards, both varieties are set for increased production and excellent taste this season, marking a significant improvement from last year," Jin said.
Hainan Guoyuan E-commerce specializes in Hainan's signature fruits and vegetables, managing 53.3 hectares of lychee orchards. The company primarily supplies lychees from Hainan and Guangdong to export markets including Singapore, Canada, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and others.
Jin Jie