The 2018-2019 lychee season has officially begun in Madagascar, in the regions of Atsinanana and Analanjirofo. This season looks promising according to the Horticultural Technical Center of Tamatave (CTHT).
Thousands of Planters, Collectors and Transporters are busy picking, loading and transporting this exotic fruit for which the island is well-known. This year, cooler temperatures favored a flowering and fruit set more in line with previous years. The Atsinanana region is expected to harvest more than 100 000 tons of lychees this year compared to 70 000 tons in 2017. It will therefore be able to supply more than its 20 000 tons of export quota to Europe.
The fruits are expected to land on the European continent around December 10th. The two conventional boats, Baltic Klipper and Atlantic Klipper are currently loading. They can carry 7,800 pallets of lychees each.
On the local market, the kilo of lychee is traded at between 2000 ariary and 3000 ariary at the beginning of the season. Last year it was at 1200 ariary. Imported sulfur lychee from Madagascar (lychee sold since last week) sells for 8 euros in Belgium while the price is negotiated between 9 and 10 euros in France. Today, 33 companies are involved in the export of lychees from Madagascar. The main export areas are Europe, the Indian Ocean, South Africa and Dubai.
Source: news.mg
