Word trade in litchi: Past, present and future

Litchi cultivation has been reported since 1500 BC by the people of Malayan descent and has been growing for thousands of years in southern Guangdong Province of China. From China it reached Burma (Mayanmar) by the end of 17(th) century and was introduced in India about 100 years later. Litchi reached Madagascar and Mauritius around 1870 and was introduced in Hawaii in 1873 by a Chinese trader. It arrived in Florida, from India, between 1870 and 1880 and was introduced in California in 1897. Litchi was reported to be brought to Australia by Chinese migrants in 1954 and arrived in Israel sometime between 1930-1940. Presently, litchi is grown in Central and South America, parts of Africa, throughout Asia. China, India, South Africa, Australia, Mauritius, Madagascar, Thailand are now the major litchi producing countries in the world. Litchi is one the most environmentally sensitive tropical fruit crops. It is a non-climacteric fruit and shelf life in room temperature (30 degreesC) is less than 72 hours. Dehydration, brown discolouration of pericarp and rotting greatly reduce salability of fresh fruits. In the production side, the major problem is low and irregular yields due to poor flowering and fruit set. Fruit cracking, sunburn of fruits, slow tree establishment and lack of suitable varieties with early and late maturity and good quality fruits are some of the factors hindering growth of litchi in commercial scale. The major international markets are currently serviced as (a) Hong Kong and Singapore market receive approximately 12 thousand metric tonnes of litchi from China and Taiwan during June-July. Thai litchi also enters Singapore market during this time. (B) U.K., Germany and France import between 10-12 thousand tonnes of litchi from Madagascar and South Africa during November to early March. The same markets also receive small quantity from Israel during July-August and from Australia during May-June. In late 1980's litchi from Thailand, Taiwan and China have been sent to Europe and during 1990's small quantity of litchi was exported from India. Good quality canned litchis are exported to Malaysia, Singapore, USA, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. There is a strong domestic market for fresh litchi in almost all the major producing countries, particularly China, India, Australia and others. (c) the litchi markets in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Lebanon, Dubai and Canada are expanding and can absorb few hundred tonnes more fresh litchi. India is exporting some quantity litchi to Middle East markets. Most of the consumers market prefer large, highly coloured, sweet fruits with small seeds and the Codex Alimentarius Commission in its 21(st) Session held in July, 1995 has finalized the codex standard for fresh litchi fruits. The expansion of fresh litchi market will depend on (a) high quality of the fruits, (b) availability for a larger period through lengthening cropping season (c) emergence of new supplier countries by sea transportation.