Vietnam exports first batch of seedless lychee to Japan, UK

The first-ever batch of seedless lychee grown in the central province of Thanh Hoa has been exported to Japan and the UK. 

The first batch of Vietnamese seedless lychees shipped to Japan and the UK. Photo: Cansy's Garden

The shipment of more than one ton, consisting of 500 kg for Japan and 600 kg for the UK, is expected to fetch between VND750,000 (US$31.6) and VND840,000 (US$35.4) per kg in the Japanese market.

According to the Thanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the seedless lychee is a new variety selected and planted by Ho Guom-Song Am High-Tech Agriculture Ltd, Co. It is grown in an area of about 30 hectares by VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards to meet export requirements.

The company expects to harvest around 20 tons this year, with a wholesale price of around VND170,000 ($7.1) per kg.

The export of the first batch to Japan and the UK is an important milestone for the local agricultural sector, as it opens up opportunities for exporting many other agricultural products from Thanh Hoa Province in the future.

The seedless lychee fruit was previously only available for sale in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnamese lychees are currently being exported to more than 30 countries and territories, with the highest being China and many other potential markets, such as Singapore, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.