Ready for the 2025 lychee crop

Minister Do Duc Duy acknowledged that the potential for lychee production and value enhancement in Bac Giang province is still very large - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said that the 2025 lychee crop is expected to be a bumper crop with an expected output of 303,000 tons, up 30% compared to 2024, thanks to favorable weather and good pest control.

In Bac Giang alone, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment said the lychee growing area in the whole province is 29,700 hectares, with an output of 165,000 tons, of which: early lychee growing area is 8,000 hectares, accounting for 27%, with an output of 60,650 tons; main crop lychee growing area is 21,700 hectares, accounting for 73%, with an output of 104,350 tons.

The area of ​​safe lychee production according to VietGAP standards is 16,000 hectares, with an output of 116,000 tons; lychee production according to GlobalGAP standards maintains an area of ​​153 hectares that has been certified. At the same time, 20 hectares of new certifications were issued, bringing the total to 173 hectares, with an output of 1,400 tons; organic lychee production is on a scale of 10 hectares in Luc Ngan district.

The province has well managed and directed production for 238 growing area codes, with an area of ​​over 17.4 thousand hectares, serving export to the following markets: China, 127 codes, an area of ​​nearly 16.2 thousand hectares, with an output of 110 thousand tons.

A working delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment works with the People's Committee of Bac Giang province and lychee consuming businesses - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

For high-demand markets such as the United States, Bac Giang province has 18 growing area codes, an area of ​​nearly 216 hectares, and an output of 2,500 tons; the Australian market has 29 growing area codes, an area of ​​over 386 hectares, and an output of 3,000 tons; the Thai market has 25 growing area codes, an area of ​​over 290 hectares, and an output of 2,000 tons; the Japanese market has 39 growing area codes, an area of ​​nearly 327 hectares, and an output of 3,500 tons.

Regarding packaging facilities, the province has 37 packaging facilities that meet the conditions for serving exports to the Chinese market in districts such as Luc Ngan with 33 facilities, Luc Nam with 1 facility, Tan Yen with 1 facility, Yen The with 1 facility and Bac Giang city with 1 facility. Maintain 1 fumigation, sterilization and packaging facility in Bac Giang province, link with 3 fumigation and sterilization facilities outside the province to ensure serving the export needs to the Japanese market; support businesses in irradiation work to serve exports to the Australian and American markets.

In 2025, the weather forecast is favorable, the flowering of lychee is guaranteed, early lychee tea is entering the flowering season, the flowering rate is expected to reach over 90%; main-season lychee is in the flower bud development stage, the flowering rate is expected to reach over 85%.

Acknowledging the opinions of localities and businesses at the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy said that the Ministry has implemented many synchronous solutions. First of all, controlling production planning, adjusting crop structure, combining with strengthening forecasting to adjust production according to market demand.

Second, diversify products, prioritize improving quality and added value, focus on national key products, regional specialties, and highly competitive products.

Third, investing in deep processing and temporary storage capacity helps to solve the surplus situation during the crop season when the domestic and international markets are not balanced.

Fourth, continue to negotiate market expansion, especially potential markets such as South America, Africa, and the Middle East, taking advantage of free trade agreements to promote brands and reduce dependence on certain markets such as the United States. "Finally, we advise the Government to negotiate trade agreements, remove tariff and technical barriers, and create conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products to access demanding markets," the Minister emphasized.

Bac Giang lychee farmers share new expectations about expanding the area of ​​high-quality lychee with Minister Do Duc Duy - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection said that from now until the end of the season, it is necessary to monitor fruit stem borers and respond to heat to protect productivity. The Northern Center for Crop Production and Plant Protection has sent staff to support growing areas to ensure a successful crop.

The lychee harvest period is short, from May 20 to July 25, divided into two phases: early lychee (May 20-June 10) and main crop (June 10-July 25). Preparations for harvest, processing and consumption are implemented early. Regarding quality, localities have monitored the use of pesticides, checked for residues and heavy metals on lychee.

Regarding processing, lychees are mainly consumed fresh, only 3% of output is processed industrially (juice, frozen, canned), the majority is dried. Processing facilities are ready to operate. From April 2025, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, in coordination with quarantine agencies of other countries, approved 6 fresh lychee processing facilities (3 irradiated, 3 fumigated) for export to demanding markets. Notably, Japan authorized Vietnam to supervise the processing of export shipments, helping to save costs and time.

The 2025 crop year consumption plan expects 60% of output (181,800 tons) to be consumed domestically through wholesale markets and supermarkets, and 40% (121,200 tons) to be exported, mainly to China (accounting for 90%). Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces have organized trade promotion conferences, signed agreements with businesses, cooperatives, and transportation and e-commerce units.

However, the short harvest period puts pressure on storage and transportation, while high logistics costs, limited deep processing technology, and quarantine barriers from major markets such as the United States and Japan remain challenges. Bac Giang has organized a conference to connect consumption and promote cooperation to ensure stable output for lychees.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/san-sang-cho-vu-vai-thieu-2025-102250511180010874.htm