The first batch of fresh lychees has hit the market across major lychee-producing areas in Guangdong, including Zhanjiang, Maoming, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Dongguan, marking the start of this year's harvest season.
In Suixi County, Zhanjiang, where lychee plantations cover more than 50,000 mu (about 3,333 hectares), early-season Xianpin lychee picking activities were launched in Wutang Town on May 10. This year, 10,000 lychee trees were made available through a tree adoption program for consumers, with more than 8,900 already subscribed. Pre-sales have reached 7,000 tonnes, equivalent to about 45 percent of the estimated output, and have surpassed 100 million yuan in value.
In Zengcheng District, one of Guangzhou's largest early-season lychee-growing areas, the Sanyuehong variety went on sale in late April. Other popular varieties, including Feizixiao, Guiwei, and Nuomici, are expected to ripen throughout the summer.
Meanwhile, in Gaozhou, Maoming, home to the world's largest contiguous lychee-growing area, Sishui Town has nearly 50,000 mu of lychee plantations, with early batches of the fruit now gradually entering the market. Local authorities have promoted sales through livestreaming and auctions for the harvesting rights of ancient lychee trees.
In Zhongshan's Minzhong Sub-district, Wuyuehong lychees hit the market over 10 days earlier than usual this year, with several orchards already welcoming visitors for fruit picking. In Dongguan's Dalingshan Town, Sanyuehong lychees are also entering peak harvest season, with more varieties set to ripen in the coming months.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo | Nanfang Plus, Zengcheng District Converged Media Center, Maoming Fabu, Zhongshan Fabu
