China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of litchi, accounting for over 95% of global production[4]. The country produces an estimated 2.6 to 2.8 million tons of litchi annually[4]. However, only a small portion of China’s litchi production is exported. In 2013, approximately 41,300 tons of litchi from Luc Ngan, a major litchi producing region in China, was exported to China’s domestic market, while only 4,500 tons (6.3% of total production) was exported to other international markets[5]. By 2016, litchi exports from Luc Ngan to international markets had decreased dramatically to just 380 tons (0.7% of total production)[5].
While China dominates global litchi production, other major litchi growing countries include India, Thailand, Madagascar, South Africa, Israel, Australia and Vietnam[2]. Madagascar, in particular, has successfully exported litchi to European markets, taking advantage of a short marketing window and efficient logistics[3]. However, Madagascar’s litchi export sector remains focused on downstream activities, with limited investment in upstream production and supply chain improvements[3].
Citations:
[1] https://directorstalk.net/palm-oil-rises-on-strong-exports
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289713707_World_trade_in_litchi_Past_present_and_future
[3] https://agritrop.cirad.fr/572584/1/document_572584.pdf
[4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285123817_Overview_of_litchi_production_in_the_world_with_specific_reference_to_China
[5] https://www.ide.go.jp/library/English/Publish/Reports/Brc/pdf/21_06.pdf