Positive signals for lychee export in 2023

Nearly 100 tonnes of lychee were exported to Japan, Australia, the UK and the EU markets from June 3-7, including 40 tonnes shipped to the Japanese market alone.

Bac Giang province, which is dubbed the lychee granary of Vietnam, said three tonnes of its lychee will be exported to Australia on June 15.

Meanwhile, Hai Duong province, another lychee producer in Vietnam, said on June 9 its lychee grown in Thanh Ha district has been exported to Japan, Australia, the US and Europe this year.

According to experts, despite the good signals, the volume of lychee shipped to demanding markets like the US and EU is remains quite modest, as the fruit has to compete with the similar product imported from China and some other lychee producers.

In order for this Vietnamese juicy fruit to penetrate deep into demanding markets, they say much work still needs to be done.

The US market is a case in point as it lays down strict food safety and hygiene criteria for imports, including fruits.

Currently, Vietnam has yet to develop an irradiation centre in the north meeting US standards, except for two licensed by the US in the south (Ho Chi Minh City and Long An province).

To ship the Vietnamese lychee to the US, businesses have no choice but to transport the fruit from the north to the south for irradiation.

It’s a time consuming process and it’s costly due to high transportation costs, says Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), pointing out that the fruit has a short life cycle from harvest to consumer.

In addition, the packaging and preservation process has yet to meet US standards, causing the fruit to be easily damaged and discolored when it hits supermarket shelves.

Vietnam’s main competitors are China and Mexico whose products have a large distribution system, competitive prices, and low shipping costs, says Nguyen.

The official also reveals that the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is actively working with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the US Department of Agriculture towards licensing the Hanoi Irradiation Center

A kilogram of lychee costs extra VND10,000-12,000 if the fruit is transported by air from the north to the south for irradiation. If the fruit is irradiated in Hanoi, the cost will be reduced and the export item will be more competitive, analyses Nguyen Dinh Tung, general director of Vina T&T Import-Export Company.

Building irradiation facilities in the north and improving the fruit packaging and preservation capacity are among issues that need to be addressed soon to help Vietnamese fruits, including lychee, to gain a firm foothold in the US market, conclude experts.