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Tight litchi supply heats up prices on South African market

South Africa's reduced litchi crop as a result of low fruit set, cold, and then sunburn damage means that most will be celebrating summer without the beloved holiday fruit.

Right: Litchis at retailer Checkers selling for R99.99 (5.2 euros) for a one kilogram carton

"I've heard that some [litchi] farms are 40% down on volume this year and that's coming off a really bad season last year," remarks a retail buyer. One litchi farmer tells FreshPlaza they were only able to take off 20% of their normal crop.

The volumes going to market is estimated at 50% lower than last December; comparable figures will only be available in January. In December 2023, 471,000 tonnes of litchis arrived on the municipal market versus December 2022's 754,86 tonnes: last year, too, sun damage shaved off a substantial amount of marketable litchis.

Some market agents say their producers told them they have so few litchis this season, "not even enough to gift the neighbours".

At the Joburg Market litchis sell on average for R57 (2.97 euros) per kilogram. During December, at one stage the highest price per kilogram was R2,000 (104 euros) for a carton containing a number of punnets (500g).

Even unsulphured, small litchis earn excellent prices on the market this season, while export grade litchis have obtained as much R180 (9.38 euros) for a 2kg carton, says an agent who asks to remain anonymous.

Export grade litchis for R239.99 (12.5 euros) at Food Lovers Market

"Litchis is a bit of a problem this year," he continues. "Just like purchasing power. It's been extremely weak on the market this month, even more so than during previous years. We can see buyers don't stock up on fruit and vegetables, they buy just enough at a time."

The financial circumstances of market buyers are making him anxious, he remarks.