In the North, this year’s lychee prices have skyrocketed compared to last year. Last year, traditional lychees were sold for 35,000-60,000 VND per kilogram, but this season they are being sold for 100,000-180,000 VND per kilogram. The increase in prices is due to a severe crop failure that led to a shortage of supplies.
Lychee growers in Bac Giang and Hai Duong experienced a sharp decrease in output at the end of the season, leading to a doubling of prices compared to the beginning of the season. This shortage caused many traders to go directly to gardens to buy the fruit. In Thanh Ha commune, Thanh Ha district in Hai Duong province, Mr. Giang reported that he harvested only three tons of lychees this year after last year’s bountiful harvest of 11 tons. Despite an unprecedented increase in export prices, it was not enough to cover his family’s expenses.
The scarcity of lychee supplies and high prices have resulted in a decline in the amount of lychees being transported from the North to the South. Supermarkets had limited quantities available with prices ranging from 125,999 VND-142,499 VND per kg while high-end fruit stores sold grade one lychees at premium prices – 325 VND per kg or more. MM Mega Market noted that they paid triple their usual price for lychees due to the significant decrease in output in Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces.
Despite these challenges, many Vietnamese families continue harvesting and selling their produce with a substantial portion being exported worldwide. China remains Vietnam’s main consumption market for traditional lychees while other countries also import them. However, Ms Nguyen Thi Hien from Luc Ngan district predicted a decrease in output by around 37% instead of 33% as her family had initially estimated; leaving them with only half a ton left at their highest selling price yet – 85kVND/kg
