[NEWS] - Nearly 100 tons of lychee have been exported to high value markets

From June 3-7, nearly 100 tons of lychee were exported to difficult markets. On June 15, 3 tons of Bac Giang lychee were exported for the first time to the Australian market. 

According to information from the Plant Protection Department (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), although it is just the beginning of the season, the amount of lychee exported from our country to high-value markets has many positive signals. 

Along with that, from June 3-7, there were about 100 tons of lychee exported to Japan, the UK, Australia, and EU markets. In Japan alone, in just 3 days from June 4-7, nearly 40 tons of lychee were successfully exported.

Leaders of the Department of Industry and Trade in Bac Giang province shared that on June 15, Bac Giang’s lychee will be exported to the Australian market for the first time, about 3 tons.

Drawing experience from previous litchi crops, this year, under the guidance of the Plant Protection Department on the requirements for plant quarantine and food safety of each locality, market, producer household, and exporting enterprise. Lychee exporters took the initiative in getting involved quite early, carefully preparing export plans.

It is forecasted that the number of lychees exported to high-value markets will increase with annual fish, in order to contribute to the overall success of the crop in the past few years.

Although the market’s signals are quite good, the volume of lychee exported to difficult markets is still quite modest. In order for Vietnamese lychee to go far, much needs to be done.

According to the General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen said that when exporting lychees from Vietnam to world markets such as the EU, the United States, etc., they often face strong competition with China’s lychee.

As with the Australian market, China is the largest lychee producer in the world, the crop lasts from February to July. Chinese farmers professionalize the harvesting process, especially the irradiation machine located in the raw material area. Therefore, when harvested in one to two days, lychee has an Australian supermarket

In particular, the lychee growing area of our country is only 1/10 of China. The lychee season only lasts for two months, June and July. Moreover, after harvesting and packing in the northern provinces, lychee continues to be transported to Ho Chi Minh City for irradiation for export. It will take a week from harvest to arrival in Australia, which affects the color and quality of the fabric.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, in order for Vietnamese lychee to be able to compete for export to Australia, the Association has proposed that the same Methyl Bromide technology can be applied as Japan is dealing with fruit instead of having to bring it to Ho Chi Minh City.

Or with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, it is also suggested that Vietnamese airlines may prioritize shipping immediately with lots of irradiated fabrics in Ho Chi Minh City as well as support freight rates. At the same time, farmers need to change the harvest time, so that within a few days Vietnam can go to the supermarket in Australia.

With more than 331 million people with great consumption power, the US market still has a lot of room for Vietnamese fruit to expand and develop a focus on fruits, and organic foods that are good for health. The current main customer group is the Asian community and especially the growing Vietnamese community, concentrated in many major urban areas and cities of the United States.

For lychee, to meet the increasing demand, the US imports lychee from China, India, Vietnam, and Thailand, in which Bac Giang and Luc Ngan litchi are always well received by US consumers and appreciated for their quality.

However, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the United States, Vietnamese lychee still has access to the market for Vietnamese agricultural products in general, and litchi in particular is still facing some obstacles. Accordingly, there is no irradiation facility according to Hoa’s standards located in the North.

The process from harvesting and transporting to consumers in the United States is still quite long, and the packaging and preservation process is not up to the standards, leading to the fabric being easily damaged and discolored when it is on supermarket shelves. Vietnam’s major competitors, Mexico and China, have extensive experience, extensive distribution systems, competitive prices, and low shipping costs.

The United States and Australia are currently two markets that require fabrics to be treated by irradiation. But with the Australian market, there are many advantages, when the irradiation and packaging of fabrics are carried out at the Hanoi Irradiation Center.

Particularly for the US market, only 2 facilities in Ho Chi Minh City and Long An are eligible for irradiation and packaging. In order to export lychee to the US market, for many years now, businesses need to transport from Hai Duong and Bac Giang to the South, so it costs money and time while lychee has a short crop.

The Plant Protection Department’s leader said that he is currently actively working with the Department of Animal and Plant Health Quarantine (APHIS) under the US Department of Agriculture for the Hanoi Irradiation Center to be recognized as eligible for fruit irradiation. fabrics exported to this market.

General Director of Vina T&T Import-Export Company - Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung said that if Hanoi Irradiation Center is recognized as qualified, it will open up huge opportunities in exporting lychee to the US market. “Transporting by plane will cost 11,000-12,000 VND per kilogram of fabric. If lychee is irradiated in the Hanoi area, it is very good for businesses. When the cost has been reduced, the export price of lychee will be more competitive,” said Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung.

Hoang Yen (Collection source)