Mr. Manh, who owns a 30-tree lychee orchard in Thanh Ha, Hai Phong (formerly Hai Duong province), recently sold one ton of lychees for 95,000 VND per kg, a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. However, his total yield decreased by 30%.

Nearby, Pham Thi Van, from Ai Quoc ward, Hai Phong (formerly Quyet Thang commune), stated that while lychee prices have cooled slightly since mid-April, they remain the highest in years. Her family harvested over one ton this year, about one half less than the previous year. According to Van, limited early-season supply means traders and regular customers often place orders early, ensuring a relatively stable market. The harvest is expected to conclude by the end of this month.

The trend of "high prices, low yield" is also evident in the Central Highlands. In Dak Lak, early-ripening lychees are purchased for 60,000-80,000 VND per kg, a notable increase from the 40,000-50,000 VND range in previous years. One local lychee farmer reported prices sometimes reached 80,000 VND per kg, with traders actively seeking to buy and placing early deposits, which has helped improve profitability.

Early-ripening lychees in Ms. Van's garden, Ai Quoc ward, Hai Phong. *Photo: Van Pham*

The increase in farm-gate prices has driven up retail prices. In TP HCM, lychees from Dak Lak sell for 140,000-150,000 VND per kg, while Thanh Ha "u trung" lychees (a variety known for its egg-shaped fruit) fetch 150,000-180,000 VND. For batches transported by air, some stores report retail prices between 195,000-210,000 VND per kg, depending on the store.

A representative from a fruit store in Thu Dau Mot ward, TP HCM, explained that this year's lychee season started later, with supply down 30-50% due to adverse weather impacting fruit set and overall yield. Each shipment now brings only 50-60 kg, half the previous volume, yet sales are quick due to the fruit's high quality.

According to the Sub-department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Hai Phong, the city has approximately 9,350 hectares dedicated to lychee cultivation this year. Early-ripening varieties account for about 3,300 hectares (35%), concentrated in areas like Thanh Ha, Ninh Giang, An Truong, and Quyet Thang. The peak harvest for early lychees is anticipated from early to mid-May.

The agency reported unfavorable weather conditions, characterized by a warm winter and a lack of prolonged cold spells, which negatively affected flower bud differentiation. Some areas experienced uneven flowering or mixed vegetative growth. Additionally, increased material costs and inadequate care in some orchards contributed to a higher risk of pests and diseases, impacting both yield and quality.

In response to these challenges, the local agricultural sector has urged farmers to enhance cultivation practices. These include: maintaining proper soil moisture, applying balanced fertilizers, pruning branches, and controlling pests and diseases. Farmers are also advised to adhere to safe production processes to meet traceability requirements for export. Specialized units are tasked with maintaining growing area codes, improving pest forecasting, and strengthening market connections, encouraging businesses to establish early partnerships with farmers to stabilize market outlets.

Thi Ha