Madagascar: Lychee Export by Sea

The lychee Tolagnaro is one of the best of Madagascar in terms of quality. With a warm climate and abundant rainfall enough, grading fruit is well above the standards imposed by the European market, the main consumer of litchi from Madagascar. Moreover, early season production is also a major asset for the products in this region of Anosy. According to the statement of the Malagasy operators, the fruits ripen almost three weeks ahead of Toamasina.

"The lychee Tolagnaro is ripe to the end of October or early November. This is a production very upscale and very strategic, especially compared to other competing countries, "analyzes an operator working in the export.

This is not the first time that the lychee Tolagnaro is exported. But before until last year, shipments were made exclusively by air, which made operations less competitive. Shipment by sea is completely changing. First in terms of quantity, because the operator will be able to export a large quantity. The transportation cost is also reduced, which will influence the selling price in Europe.

For years, lychee Tolagnaro was almost over-production due to lack of opportunity. No exact figures are yet available about the total quantity of production but estimates suggest up to 20,000 tonnes per year. Local consumption is not enough to absorb this amount and often the fruit to rot.