A few days ago Vietnamese lychees entered their harvesting period, but because of unfavorable weather conditions this year's output has been reduced. The Vietnamese local assembly for farmers say they estimate that this year's output of lychees will be on average 5 times less than in previous years, and has fallen to a ten year low. Fruit farmers say that the number of lychees last year had been reduced because of bad weather, too; but that the situation this year is a lot worse.
They estimate that lychee exports for this year will reach 50.000 tons, of which 40.000 tons, or 80% of the total, are destined for China.
In 2017 Vietnam exported lychees to three new markets, the Middle East, Canada and Thailand, for the first time. Reports show that in 2017 the output of lychees in Bao Giang province accounted for approximately 100,000 tons, which is equal to only 70% of last year's gross output.