Madagascar is anticipating an early lychee crop this season, but a drop in production volumes will see the island’s exports fall
Madagascar’s Horticultural Technical Centre in Toamasina (CTHT) expects production to fall by 50 per cent across its collection areas, leading to a drop in overall export volumes to overseas markets.
A survey by CTHT at the end of October confirmed that volumes would be down in all collection areas, as well as other production zones.
The lychee harvest is forecast to arrive extremely early in Madagascar this year, according to the CTHT, with comparisons being made to the 2016 season.
Inspections were carried out in Brickaville, Toamasina and Fenerive East in mid-October, with plants found to have developed rapidly as a result of ample rainfall from the start of October.
During the second half of the month, favourable weather conditions aided fruit development, including low rainfall, higher than average nighttime temperatures and warmer days.
With exports for the season estimated at 18,000 tonnes, the crop may have to be staggered to meet the needs of exporters, according to the CTHT, which said it expected harvesting to commence on 10-13 November.
France is the main destination for Madagascan lychees, importing nearly 35 per cent of volumes, followed by Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the UK.
