Developments pioneered by Canadian-Hong Kong firm ComeTech (HK) Ltd in the post-harvest treatment of lychee have extended storage of the fruit to 45 days. Pictured are treated lychees (top) after 42 days compared to an untreated sample after the same period.

A recent pilot test carried out by the universities of Toronto and Guelph in Canada on lychees treated with ComeTech's method showed that after 45 days in store, fruit still had a uniform red colour and outstanding eating quality. The samples were then able to survive for a further seven days at normal air-circulated cold store temperatures of 5°C.

'The technology is not modified or controlled atmosphere storage,' says ComeTech's Eric Leung. 'It is a bio-chemical control of lychees that stores treated lychees in normal reefer containers of 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high-cube at below 5°C and transports them from China to the EU. The technology is theoretically suitable for other products, however we do not foresee any business opportunity for Chinese products other than lychee in the short term.' Shipments are due to commence later this month with a 24 day transit time to UK, Dutch and German ports, rising to 30 days to include Customs clearance. ComeTech is also guaranteeing a further seven days of external fruit colour and eating quality on arrival.

The company's post-harvest treatments have already passed assessments by food safety authorities in Canada and the US and meet all EU regulations, according to Leung.

The breakthrough should also help extend the Chinese season in Europe for lychee to three months from June to September. ComeTech is working with the China National Technical Import & Export Corporation.

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