Articles
Litchi and longan in southern Africa
Article number
1447_3
Pages
23 – 30
Language
English
Abstract
Less than 5% of the world’s litchis are grown in the southern hemisphere, of which more than 95% are produced in Southern Africa, including the Indian Ocean Islands Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion.
With approximately 25,000 ha and an annual production of more than 100,000 t, Madagascar is the biggest producer in the southern hemisphere and Africa, as well as the largest exporter worldwide.
The second largest producer is South Africa with a planting area of approximately 1,500 ha and an annual production of 6,000-8,000 t.
Other African countries with less than 1,000 ha of planting area include Mozambique, Réunion and Mauritius.
A few litchi plantings of less than 50 ha are also found in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
While the planting area in most of these countries remained relatively stable in the past decade, the litchi industry in Mozambique has been expanding due to its favorable climate and early harvesting season.
Of all producers in southern Africa, South Africa exports the biggest portion of its litchi crop (>50%), while the other countries export less than 30% of their annual crop.
The main export markets for litchi from the African continent are Europe, UK, Canada and USA, with minor exports to countries in the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia). The main cultivar commercially grown in southern Africa is ‘Mauritius’, but other cultivars, such as ‘Early Delight’, ‘Fay Zee Siu’, ‘Wai Chee’ and ‘Third Month Red’, are increasingly planted in South Africa to extend the harvesting season.
Efforts to expand the litchi germplasm collection are actively pursued by South Africa and Mauritius.
Ongoing research activities to address production challenges are also mainly carried out by researchers in South Africa and Mauritius.
Commercial longan production in southern Africa comprises less than 150 ha in total and is mainly found in Réunion and Mauritius.
With approximately 25,000 ha and an annual production of more than 100,000 t, Madagascar is the biggest producer in the southern hemisphere and Africa, as well as the largest exporter worldwide.
The second largest producer is South Africa with a planting area of approximately 1,500 ha and an annual production of 6,000-8,000 t.
Other African countries with less than 1,000 ha of planting area include Mozambique, Réunion and Mauritius.
A few litchi plantings of less than 50 ha are also found in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
While the planting area in most of these countries remained relatively stable in the past decade, the litchi industry in Mozambique has been expanding due to its favorable climate and early harvesting season.
Of all producers in southern Africa, South Africa exports the biggest portion of its litchi crop (>50%), while the other countries export less than 30% of their annual crop.
The main export markets for litchi from the African continent are Europe, UK, Canada and USA, with minor exports to countries in the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia). The main cultivar commercially grown in southern Africa is ‘Mauritius’, but other cultivars, such as ‘Early Delight’, ‘Fay Zee Siu’, ‘Wai Chee’ and ‘Third Month Red’, are increasingly planted in South Africa to extend the harvesting season.
Efforts to expand the litchi germplasm collection are actively pursued by South Africa and Mauritius.
Ongoing research activities to address production challenges are also mainly carried out by researchers in South Africa and Mauritius.
Commercial longan production in southern Africa comprises less than 150 ha in total and is mainly found in Réunion and Mauritius.
Authors
R.B. Cronje
Keywords
current status, cultivars, international trade, planting area, production
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