Australia is the only country in close proximity to the Asian markets able to supply Lychees in December—February, during the important Chinese New Year Celebrations.

Production time is from early November until Mid March.  This is due to the geographic spread of the production area, from Far North Queensland to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, an area approximately 2500km, as well as the maturation of the different cultivars grown.

The Australian lychee industry is unique in having the longest lychee production season in the world. Due to the introduction of earlier and later fruiting varieties, and the extensive production zones from tropical to temperate climates, the industry produces fruit from October in Far North Queensland to early April in Northern NSW. This gives the Australian industry a significant advantage over our competitors on world markets. No other country can offer such a long line of supply of a quality-controlled fresh lychee product.

Lychees appear to be one of the significant new crops in sugarcane areas from Mossman to Ingham, the Proserpine -Mackay districts and also in the Childers-Bundaberg districts. Recently, the district’s cane farmers have started to diversify into lychee production and over 40,000 trees have been planted and should yield more than 1000 tonnes by 2008. This is more than a 500% increase in production over the last 5 years.

All Australian lychees are marketed as fresh fruit because the lychee industry uses airfreight and a cool chain to provide fresh, best quality ‘chemical free’ lychees to markets.

There are more than 40 cultivars of lychee growing in Australia. However the industry is largely based on seven cultivars: Bosworth No 3 (Kwai May Pink), Tai So, Fei Zi Xiao, Souey Tung, Kaimana, Salathiel and Wai Chee. The Australian lychee industry is currently hybridising and trialing new varieties that will further extend the production season and provide superior lychee varieties.

Table 1 Lychee Varieties - fresh supply only

Varieties

Although not promoted in store by variety, the most common cultivars are Feizixiao, Tai So, Bosworth 3 (Kwai Mai Pink), Huaizhi, Salathiel and Souey Tung.

Table 2 Lychee Major Growing Regions

Most lychee production in Australia is located in North Queensland but the growing extends down to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. There are about 250 lychee growers in the industry, most harvesting less than 4,000 trees.

Table 3 Lychee Packaging and Export Expertise

Packaging and Export Expertise

Fruit has traditionally been packed in plastic bags in 5kg boxes,
without stalks or leaves.  Some growers can also supply fruit in 2kg boxes, as well as punnets if desired.  The size of the punnet can vary
according to the needs of the customer

Using the expertise of professional freight consolidators and
forwarders, all growers’ fruit is stored in cold room conditions until time for loading onto the aircraft.  This ensures fruit is delivered to its destination in as short a time as possible, usually within 48 hours of harvesting, and in the best possible condition.

For further information on the Lychee industry, please click here.