Lychee Production Set to Soar 30% This Year: International Edition (English)

Vietnam is set to produce an estimated 303,000 tonnes of lychee this year, a 30% increase compared to 2024, according to the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The improved production can be credited to good weather conditions and effective disease management.

Approximately 165,000 tonnes of the overall production comes from Bac Giang Province in the north, 60,000 tonnes from Hai Duong Province also in the north, 22,000 tonnes each from Hung Yen and Lang Son Provinces up north, with an additional 21,000 tonnes originating from Dak Lak Province located in the Central Highlands region.

The harvest time is relatively short, divided into two phases – from May 20 to June 10 for early-ripen fruits, and from June 10 to July 25 for the main crop. Therefore, early preparations are required for proper harvest, processing, and consumption of lychee, according to the department.

Concerning the administration of production and packaging unit codes, 469 production unit codes have been allocated across an approximate area of 19,400 hectares, along with 55 packaging site codes being awarded to cater to export demands from countries like China, Australia, Thailand, Japan, and the United States. All these facilities undergo regular monitoring and have successfully finished their registration processes for the 2025 harvest season.

In terms of preparations for plant quarantine treatment as required by importing countries, since the beginning of April, the Department of Plant Production and Protection has proactively worked with plant quarantine agencies of other countries to complete documents and conduct inspections of fresh lychee processing facilities, including three irradiation facilities and three fumigation ones.

So far, these facilities have received approval from international bodies for the 2025 harvest and are now prepared to process the fruit destined for export.

Especially following an extensive negotiation process, beginning with the 2025 harvest, Japan has permitted Vietnam to oversee the processing of lychee exports destined for their market, rather than deploying their own specialists to monitor the complete cultivation procedure. This change significantly reduces time and expenses for both farmers and exporters dealing with fresh fruits.

Quarantine facilities and food safety inspection labs are prepared to mobilize their resources and personnel for sample collection and analysis to support export activities. Quarantine officials are anticipated to be stationed in various areas starting from June 1 through the conclusion of the harvesting period.

Around 60% of the production is anticipated to be used domestically, with the rest intended for export. Despite Vietnam’s lychees having reached more than 20 countries globally, the majority of exports—about 90%, as reported by the department—are directed towards China.