In recent days, the first batches of lychee have been exported to the Chinese and Japanese markets. However, the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic both at home and abroad have been posing certain difficulties in lychee consumption this year.

Some lychee exports to Japan are expected to be accepted by consumers
with prices as high as VND500,000/kg. Photo: N.Thanh

Lychee is convenient to go to the West and China

The good news for lychee exports is that on May 23, Thanh Ha (Hai Duong) lychee products were officially sent to Japan but still retain bright colors and guaranteed quality.

The lychee area for export to the Japanese market is cultivated according to Global GAP standards. The results of testing for residues of more than 800 pesticides show that Hai Duong's lychee products do not have any residue, which means that the lychee is clean and completely meets the requirements of the Japanese partner.

Previously, enterprises such as Ameii Vietnam Joint Stock Company and Red Dragon Production Trading and Service Co., Ltd have prepared enough means of transport to transport the first 100 tons of lychee to Japan.

Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Hong, General Director of Ameii Vietnam Joint Stock Company, said: "In 2020, for the first time, Vietnamese lychee is exported to Japan and is highly appreciated for its quality compared to other competitors. Now, we expect lychee export volume to Japan to increase compared to last year and keep prices as high as in the first year."

A few days earlier, information from the Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion of Bac Giang province showed that the first batches of lychee were cleared through Lao Cai and Lang Son border gates for export to China.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Deputy Director of Bac Giang Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion Center (a member of the "Support Team" for lychee exportation at Lang Son border gate) said that lychee is currently being prioritized for export through the Green channel.

After the lychee is cleared, other goods will go through customs clearance procedures. The border gate management board also directs staff to work before office hours to meet the early settlement of clearance procedures for lychees. Therefore, at this time, lychee is exported to China very conveniently.

“Currently, there are no statistics on the amount of lychee exported to China by each locality, but according to general data, about 400 tons of Vietnamese lychee are exported to this market each day. The price of lychee in Tan Yen district (Bac Giang) ranges from VND20,000-35,000/kg depending on the type. The lychee produced according to VietGAP and Global GAP standards has a higher price,” said Tho.

Frustrated by Covid-19

Global Food Import Export Joint Stock Company (Bac Giang province) is one of the units involved in exporting Bac Giang lychee to the markets of Japan, China, the US.

Do Hoang Phuong, Director of the Company, said that this year, it is expected that lychee output will decrease. Export activities are mainly to keep the traditional market and connect some new markets with small output.

"Due to the development of the Covid-19 pandemic, business plans and lychee consumption of enterprises also change continuously. What I am most worried about right now is the shortage of seasonal workers. People are afraid of Covid-19, so they do not dare participate in the work of collecting, processing and packing in lychee areas. I would like to be supported by local authorities in attracting labor, ensuring safety and pandemic prevention so that people can work with peace of mind," Phuong said.

A representative of Chanh Thu Fruit Import and Export Co., Ltd (Ben Tre), one of the enterprises registered to purchase lychee for export, said the Covid-19 situation is complicated, so this year's lychee consumption is low.

However, this enterprise is still confident that many customers will come to Luc Ngan lychee. Being granted a geographical indication protection certificate by Japan for Luc Ngan lychee fruit will be the basis for customers to trust in product quality.

Currently, all localities are making efforts to respond well to the Covid-19 pandemic, creating favorable conditions for the export and consumption of lychee in the domestic market, especially in the "capital" of lychee.

Bac Giang province has asked the Department of Industry and Trade to coordinate with localities to work with the Chinese side to promote, create favorable conditions and promptly allow Chinese traders to enter, survey and negotiate to purchase lychee in Bac Giang as soon as possible; proactively invite wholesale markets nationwide, with large consumption partners such as: supermarket system, trade center, agro-food processing enterprises to Bac Giang province to survey, associate, sign contracts to consume lychee.

In addition, the People's Committee of Bac Giang province also requires high concentration for the form of consumption and offering of lychee products on e-commerce platforms, doing business on online platforms such as: Tiki.vn, lazada.vn, sendo.vn, voso.vn; selling online on social networking sites zalo, facebook, youtube.

Assessing the Covid-19 pandemic, which is changing rapidly, causing difficulties for the circulation, transportation and consumption of goods, especially agricultural products such as Bac Giang, recently Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh has suggested that the Association and the logistics service business community actively coordinate with ministries, sectors, localities, manufacturing and trading enterprises to have solutions for promoting safe transportation and circulation of goods amid the pandemic; take support measures such as reducing storage and warehousing costs, reducing transportation and loading and unloading fees so that distribution enterprises, trade centers, and supermarkets can increase the purchase of agricultural products for local farmers in the pandemic areas, first in Bac Giang.