Prospects for a good lychee crop, ready for export

About 97% of lychees are consumed as fresh fruit.

Bac Giang leads in output

Lychee is grown mainly in the northern provinces, with Bac Giang leading the way with an area of ​​29,700 hectares and an expected output of 165,000 tons. Hai Duong follows with 8,800 hectares, with an expected output of about 60,000 tons, especially in Thanh Ha region - where a bumper crop is expected. Other provinces such as Hung Yen (over 1,300 hectares), Lang Son (1,400 hectares), Quang Ninh (over 1,300 hectares), Son La (315 hectares) and some provinces in the Central Highlands also contribute to the total national output. The characteristic of lychee is that the harvest time is short and concentrated, divided into two stages: early lychee (from May 20 to June 10) and main-season lychee (from June 10 to July 25). This requires careful preparation from care to consumption to avoid waste.

To ensure the success of the lychee crop, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection has directed from the beginning of the season, providing technical guidance on care and pest control, especially fruit stem borers - a major threat to productivity. Food safety monitoring has also been focused on, with inspections of pesticide residues and heavy metals on lychees. Currently, 469 growing area codes (GACs) with an area of ​​over 19,300 hectares and 55 packing facility codes (BPS) have been licensed, serving exports to markets such as China, Australia, Thailand, Japan, and the United States. These areas are closely monitored and ready for the 2025 crop year.

Regarding processing, the majority of lychee output (about 97%) is consumed as fresh fruit, while only about 3% is further processed into juice, frozen or canned. Drying facilities and processing enterprises have completed preparations, ready for the season. Plant quarantine work has also been stepped up, with 3 irradiation facilities and 3 fumigation facilities approved by importing countries. Notably, from the 2025 crop year, Japan has authorized Vietnam to supervise the processing itself, instead of sending experts directly, helping to save time and costs for farmers and businesses.

Information on current lychee output is a positive signal for the agricultural sector, especially when lychee continues to affirm its role as one of the key products of the Northern region. To catch up with production opportunities, today (May 8), Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired a meeting to review activities serving the harvesting, processing, consumption, and export of lychee in 2025. The Minister requested relevant units to urgently develop a plan to direct, guide, and support localities, businesses, and farmers. The Ministry also issued an action plan for industry development, focusing on perfecting the legal system, improving product quality, and diversifying export markets. Specific tasks include connecting businesses with cold storage systems to preserve lychees during the peak harvest season, investing in mobile processing points, and supporting fast customs clearance at border gates, especially with China.

Despite the positive outlook for the crop, the lychee industry still faces challenges from weather fluctuations and strict requirements from international markets. To protect productivity, specialized units are required to closely monitor the pest situation and implement a food safety monitoring program. Cooperation with quarantine agencies of importing countries, especially China, will ensure effective customs clearance. At the same time, encouraging deep processing to reduce consumption pressure and increase added value is a highly recommended direction.

With a projected increase in output, the 2025 lychee crop will not only bring income to farmers but also affirm the position of Vietnamese lychees in the global market. The combination of sustainable production, strict quality management and flexible consumption strategies will be the key for the lychee industry to overcome challenges and make the most of opportunities this year. Localities such as Bac Giang and Thanh Ha, with promotional initiatives, are pioneering in building the Vietnamese lychee brand, towards a future of sustainable development and international integration.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/trien-vong-duoc-mua-vai-san-sang-cho-cong-tac-xuat-khau-10225050815270852.htm