Lychee fairs planned in several provinces to absorb production surplus



BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) - Mr. Yukol Limlaemthong, acting Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister has laid down plans to deal with the surplus of lychee as about 60,000 tons of the produce is expected to flood the market.

The minister said that this year Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao and Nan Provinces, the main lychee production areas, are likely to produce 59,000 tons of lychees, an increase of 28.13% year-on-year. Mr. Yukol said that the nation’s lychee season falls from now to June 10th, adding that, with such a short period and such a massive supply, a careful distribution plan is needed.

The acting Deputy Prime Minister said the Marketing Organization for Farmers, the Department of Agricultural Extension, and the subcommittee on prevention of northern fruit problems are jointly organizing road shows to promote northern lychees in Udon Thani and Khon Kaen in the Northeast, and Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya and Bangkok in the central region.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agricultural Extension also planned to readjust the lychee production strategy in order to make sure that next year's output would accurately respond to the demand in the market. It is also coordinating with related units in distributing the fruit to various markets in the country.

-- NNT 2014-05-22

Not another failed pledging scheme ?

Appropriate external colour though.

A good idea might be for the Government to buy all the surplus stock

of lychee at well over the market price and put it into warehouses until

it goes rotten,

regards Worgeordie

OK, I understand that there are three harvest "seasons" a year for lychees but can someone tell me how a season can be said to end on a specific date, i.e June 10th? Is it like say a hunting season where you are only allowed to hunt between certain dates except in this case you can only harvest between certain dates - I can't see how that would be the case.

Any Lychee specialists out there?

Edited May 22, 201412 yr by fab4

fab4, here in CM we have 1 season, it is now until aprox. mid june. They should just can or dry the surplus, dry lychee is yummy.

Its only an estimate, every year this the natural season for this fruit. I am guessing the surplus is because it was such an expensive fruit 5-10 years ago and now there is over production. This fruit also has a very short shelf live and must be sold quickly.

)))....what an absolute bonus!

A "deputy prime minister" sounds appointed , so he would be ignored by the military head of Thailand.

Great picture !

Feel like having some now!

Anyone ever had lychee wine?

I don't drink. Just askin'

Seems like an opportunity to me....

OK, I understand that there are three harvest "seasons" a year for lychees but can someone tell me how a season can be said to end on a specific date, i.e June 10th? Is it like say a hunting season where you are only allowed to hunt between certain dates except in this case you can only harvest between certain dates - I can't see how that would be the case.

Any Lychee specialists out there?

You expect what from a PTP government. LOL

I am not sure why they are so determined to sell it here. Where I came from in Canada it was very much enjoyed why not export more of it. Or has the government soured the importing of Thai foods with their rice scam?

Also set up means of pitting them and caning them for export.

A "deputy prime minister" sounds appointed , so he would be ignored by the military head of Thailand.

Why would the military head of Thailand be interested in agriculture it has nothing to do with the security of the nation?

fab4, here in CM we have 1 season, it is now until aprox. mid june. They should just can or dry the surplus, dry lychee is yummy.

Yes dry them. Have not seen them around here in Thailand but have considered bringing a dehydrator back next time I go to North America. Had one in Canada was wonderful. Could make jerky in it as well as dehydrate fruit.

I'm fond of lychee and I hope I can eat next year also, cause if the TH Gov. tries to do something on anything, this is worried for me anytime .

fab4, here in CM we have 1 season, it is now until aprox. mid june. They should just can or dry the surplus, dry lychee is yummy.

Yes dry them. Have not seen them around here in Thailand but have considered bringing a dehydrator back next time I go to North America. Had one in Canada was wonderful. Could make jerky in it as well as dehydrate fruit.

I bought one in Thailand. At Emporium Power Buy, I think. It works like a champ.

It wasn't cheap, but so much easier than hauling a 110V unit from NA and buying a 220/110 transformer.

Anyone ever had lychee wine?

I don't drink. Just askin'

Seems like an opportunity to me....

Jad Chinese lychee wine, very nice.

My favourite fruit...delisious from the fridge, cold n juicy.

The start of the season around here, now finished, we went through 10kilos the first week

We've been getting wild lychee in the market for about 15 baht a kilo. Sensational. I've worked in lychees in Australia, They have a very short season, about 10 days, and from one year to the next the size of the crop fluctuates massively for multiple reasons. We have some trees that have not produced much fruit before, but this year we've had a lot, we've had some good precipitation during the dry season, especially at the end, which unfortunately leads to the fruit splitting.

Please send it to Bangkok so we can get cheap lychee this year...one of my favorites.

Would love to try dried lychee...never seen it...natural only but, no sugar or syrups or salt or any such rubbish added.

fab4, here in CM we have 1 season, it is now until aprox. mid june. They should just can or dry the surplus, dry lychee is yummy.

Thanks for that - I just googled lychee season Thailand and found a site that stated there were 3 seasons. Thailand being a big place I suppose it depends on where you are to determine the number of seasons, as you said CM has one season.

I was just curious as to why they specifically stated a date. No matter, lychees will do me until the mangosteen season kicks in - now that's a fruit.

Maybe they can create a new dish...lychee and rotting rice...should be a winning combo...

surplus -> put in cans -> export to other countries ? anyone ? or keep them in cold storage for several months ?

will we see a decline of prices for us the consumers ?

thailand, the hub of wild (no) planning

Edited May 22, 201412 yr by belg

Down to 25bht/kilo already around CM.

Never seen them so cheap.