Uncertain times for lychee sector: After a bumper crop last season, South Africa's lychee growers are preparing themselves for a 30 per cent drop in export volumes this year

摘要

Hot weather and an uneven blossom in South Africa's main lychee producing regions have taken their toll and export shipments are expected to be well down this year compared with last season. The South African season started earlier this year, althoughwith fairly limited quantities, because of a new early ripening variety which in the long term may help to extend the season. Malelane-based grower John Spears has planted the new Chinese variety, called Fay-Zee-Sui, and was able to airfreight some volumes in week 44, two weeks ahead of the rest of the crop.