Lychee imports to the UK have started to decline in recent years as consumers remain unexcited by the fruit.
According to COLEACP’s latest review, UK imports grew erratically between 1998 and 2003, but fell from 4,368 tonnes to 3,454t by 2004.
Meanwhile, imports have steadily risen in continental Europe. The Netherlands increased its intake by 32 per cent, more than doubling imports from Madagascar and taking 27 per cent of the total from all origins.
Belgium - one of the larger players - also increased imports from Madagascar, by 469 per cent, and South Africa, by 27 per cent. Jaco Marais, md of South African exporter Katopé Subtropical RSA said the UK is fast losing its importance for lychee exporters.
“We send around 98 per cent of our product to the Continent, with one per cent going to the UK and one per cent to the rest of the world,” he said.
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