Summer is lychee season in China, the world's largest lychee producer. Guangdong Province leads the nation in cultivation area (420,000 acres this year), yield (30% higher than 2024), and production value. The harvest stretches from mid-May through mid-July across multiple regions:
- Western Guangdong: Zhanjiang → Maoming
- Eastern Guangdong: Huizhou → Shantou
Despite lower 2025 purchase prices, increased yields have made lychees a prosperity driver for local growers.
Technological Breakthroughs: Defying Seasonal Limits
1. Drone Aerial Logistics
Hilly Maoming orchards now deploy transport drones (170lb capacity) that slash costs by 62.5%:
- Traditional transport: $0.04-0.05/lb
- Drone delivery: $0.015/lb
👉 See how drone technology is revolutionizing agriculture
2. Fieldside Cooling Stations
"Pre-cooling" preserves freshness by:
- Reducing "field heat" within 20 minutes of picking
- Lowering respiration rate to retain nutrients
- Processing 70,000+ lb daily per station
3. Cryogenic Freezing Technology
The -196°C liquid nitrogen "lychee hibernation" method:
- Creates micro ice crystals to preserve cell structure
- Locks in original flavor and color
- Enables year-round availability
2,500-Mile Freshness Relay: Guangdong to Inner Mongolia
Case Study: An order from Hohhot completed in <24 hours through:
- 6 transfers
- 3 sorting stages
Multimodal transport:
- Local collection via electric trikes
- Air transport via passenger flight bellyholds
- Final delivery by 8AM next day
Logistics Infrastructure:
- 37 direct air routes from Guangzhou/Shenzhen
- Covers 2,800+ Chinese counties
- 12-hour delivery to key cities
High-Speed Rail "Lychee Express"
G696 bullet train achieves:
- 4-hour Guangzhou→Wuhan delivery (vs. 15hrs via truck)
- <5% spoilage rate with 22°C climate control
- Daily dedicated lychee carriages (8+ tons capacity)
Global Expansion: Breaking Export Barriers
2025 Export Milestones:
| Region | Breakthrough | Transport Time |
|---|---|---|
| Middle East | Dongguan's first bulk export to Dubai | 8hrs by air |
| Central Europe | Maoming→Belarus | - |
| Hungary | Lianjiang via air freight | - |
👉 Discover cross-border agricultural innovations
FAQ: Lychee Industry Insights
Q: How long can frozen lychees be stored?
A: Up to 12 months while maintaining >90% freshness when using cryogenic tech.
Q: What makes Guangdong lychees unique?
A: The subtropical climate creates superior sugar-acid balance (typically 17-21° Brix).
Q: How are drones changing lychee harvesting?
A: They reduce labor costs by 40% and minimize 15% of traditional transport damage.
Q: Which countries import the most Chinese lychees?
A: Current top markets: UAE, Singapore, Russia, with EU demand growing 200% YoY.
Q: What's the price difference for export lychees?
A: Overseas sales bring 3-5x domestic prices after accounting for logistics.
Q: How does pre-cooling impact shelf life?
A: Extends freshness from 3 to 7 days at ambient temperatures.