Seasonal egg-shaped lychee prices jump 20% amid low supply

They are up 19% in Hanoi at VND190,000.

A similar variety grown in Hai Duong Province costs VND160,000-170,000.

Hong, the owner of a fruit store in HCMC, said the lychee is much sought-after and sells out quickly despite the high prices.

"I am selling egg-shaped lychees from Hung Yen’s Phu Cu District. They have to be transported by air to retain their freshness and fragrance."

Hoa, who runs a food store in Hanoi, said this variety of lychee is always in demand since it is harvested for only one month starting in May.

They are more expensive than regular or seedless lychees due to their size, which is as large as a chicken egg, and thicker, more fragrant and sweeter pulp.

A kilogram of egg-shaped lychee usually consists of 19-20 fruits, while regular varieties number 28-30.

"My shop has sold 300-400 kilograms of lychees in the last three days," Hoa said.

Farmers and merchants expect the fruit to sell out quickly this year because its supply is down from last year.

Dong Thi Thu Huong, director of the Minh Tien Agricultural Cooperative in Hung Yen, said the cooperative's 20 hectares of egg lychees would be ready for harvest in five to ten days.

Some 70% of the crop has already been bought at VND145,000-150,000 per kilogram, she said.

"The harvest is down by 50% from last year, so the price is higher."

Regular varieties are sold at VND35,000-45,000 per kilogram at the farm gate, she added.

The leaders of the Phu Cu District People's Committee said of the 1,200 ha under lychees, 350 ha grow the egg-shaped variety.

The fruits meet all quality standards and are marked with traceability labels, they said.