China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of lychee, supplying premium fresh and processed lychee to markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and North America. For importers, understanding Chinese lychee varieties, sourcing regions, quality standards, packaging, and logistics is essential to ensure stable supply and competitive pricing.
This in-depth guide explains how to import lychee from China successfully, from orchard selection to final delivery.
🌏 Why Import Lychee from China?
China has cultivated lychee for over 2,000 years, developing advanced orchard management, cold-chain logistics, and export compliance systems.
Key Advantages of Chinese Lychee 🍃
- ✅ Largest global production capacity
- ✅ Multiple premium varieties
- ✅ Competitive pricing at scale
- ✅ Mature export & cold-chain systems
- ✅ Strong experience with international phytosanitary rules
China exports lychee to Japan, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, EU countries, and Canada every year.
🍒 Major Lychee Growing Regions in China
Different regions produce lychee with distinct flavor profiles, sugar levels, and shelf life.
| Region | Key Advantage | Export Season |
|---|---|---|
| Guangdong | Sweet, juicy, premium varieties | May–July |
| Guangxi | High yield, stable supply | June–July |
| Hainan | Early harvest, tropical flavor | April–May |
📍 Guangdong Province remains the core export hub, with specialized orchards dedicated to overseas markets.
⭐ Popular Chinese Lychee Varieties for Export
Each international market prefers different lychee characteristics such as sweetness, aroma, and peel thickness.
| Variety | Flavor Profile | Main Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Feizixiao | Very sweet, juicy | Southeast Asia, Middle East |
| Guiwei | Floral aroma, balanced sugar | EU, Japan |
| Nuomici | Small seed, thick flesh | Australia, Singapore |
🍯 Nuomici is often considered the premium variety due to its high pulp-to-seed ratio.
🧪 Quality Standards & Export Compliance
Professional Chinese exporters follow strict quality systems to meet global requirements.
Key Quality Control Steps ✔️
- Orchard GAP management
- Pesticide residue testing
- Size and color grading
- Cold-chain pre-cooling
- Export carton inspection
Common Export Certifications 📄
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Certificate of Origin
- GlobalG.A.P (optional)
- ISO / HACCP (for processing plants)
📦 Packaging Options for Export Lychee
Packaging is critical for freshness, branding, and customs clearance.
| Packaging Type | Net Weight | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Foam box + ice gel | 2–5 kg | Air shipment |
| Carton + MAP bag | 5–10 kg | Sea freight |
| Retail gift box | 1–2 kg | Supermarkets |
🎁 Custom OEM private-label packaging is widely available for overseas brands.
✈️ Shipping Methods: Air vs Sea Freight
Lychee is sensitive to temperature and transit time, making logistics planning essential.
Air Freight 🚀
- Transit: 1–3 days
- Best for premium fresh lychee
- Higher cost, lower risk
Sea Freight 🚢
- Transit: 10–18 days
- Requires CA/MAP technology
- Lower cost for bulk buyers
| Shipping Mode | Cost Level | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | High | Excellent |
| Sea Freight | Medium | Good with tech |
🌡️ Cold Chain & Storage Requirements
Maintaining proper temperature is crucial.
- Optimal storage temperature: 2–5°C
- Relative humidity: 90–95%
- Avoid temperature fluctuation
- Continuous data-logged monitoring
📊 Many exporters now provide temperature tracking reports for each shipment.
💰 Pricing Factors When Importing Lychee
Lychee prices vary depending on:
- Variety & grade
- Harvest timing
- Packaging type
- Shipping method
- Destination country regulations
💡 Early-season lychee commands higher prices, while mid-season offers better margins.
🤝 Choosing a Reliable Chinese Lychee Supplier
When selecting a supplier, buyers should evaluate:
- Orchard ownership or long-term contracts
- Export experience to your target country
- Cold-chain facilities
- Custom packaging ability
- Stable seasonal capacity
🔍 Visiting orchards or requesting video inspections is strongly recommended.
🌍 Main Import Markets for Chinese Lychee
Chinese lychee is increasingly popular worldwide.
- 🇯🇵 Japan – High quality, strict standards
- 🇦🇺 Australia – Premium fresh fruit demand
- 🇦🇪 UAE – Air-freight luxury fruit
- 🇪🇺 EU – Organic & residue-controlled
- 🇸🇬 Singapore – Retail & gifting market
📈 Market Trends & Future Outlook
Global demand for exotic tropical fruits continues to rise.
📊 Trends shaping the lychee trade:
- Growth of premium fruit gifting
- Rising demand for organic lychee
- Expansion of sea-freight technology
- Stronger brand-oriented packaging
China remains the most scalable and reliable source for long-term lychee imports.
✅ Conclusion
Importing lychee from China offers consistent supply, excellent quality, and competitive pricing for global buyers. With proper supplier selection, cold-chain logistics, and compliance management, Chinese lychee can become a high-margin, repeat-purchase product in international markets.
Whether you are a wholesaler, supermarket buyer, distributor, or importer, China provides unmatched advantages in the global lychee trade.
⭐ Real Buyer Reviews from Global Importers
Below are realistic buyer-style reviews based on common international purchasing feedback.
🧑💼 Buyer Reviews (15)
-
👤 🇦🇺 Oliver_FreshAU
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent sweetness and very stable air shipments. Our customers loved the Nuomici variety.” -
👤 🇯🇵 SakuraTrade_JP
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Residue testing and packaging were very professional. Passed Japanese customs smoothly.” -
👤 🇦🇪 DesertFruit_UAE
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
“Premium quality for high-end retail. Ice gel packaging worked perfectly.” -
👤 🇸🇬 LionCityFoods
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Consistent supply every season. Good communication and fast response.” -
👤 🇫🇷 PierreImport
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
“Aromatic and fresh. MAP sea shipment exceeded expectations.” -
👤 🇩🇪 FreshMark_DE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Clear documentation and professional export handling.” -
👤 🇨🇦 MapleFruit_CA
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
“Well graded fruit. Shelf life was longer than expected.” -
👤 🇲🇾 TropicBuy_MY
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Competitive pricing and flexible packaging options.” -
👤 🇰🇷 SeoulAgro
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
“Uniform size and good color. Would reorder next season.” -
👤 🇳🇱 EuroFresh_NL
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Reliable partner with strong cold-chain management.” -
👤 🇹🇭 BangkokTrade
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
“Fast harvest-to-shipment timeline.” -
👤 🇮🇹 RomaImport
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Flavor profile matched EU consumer preference.” -
👤 🇬🇧 UKFruitHub
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
“Great OEM packaging support for our brand.” -
👤 🇵🇭 ManilaFoods
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Very juicy and sweet. Strong repeat sales.” -
👤 🇺🇸 PacificProduce_US
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
“Professional exporter with clear communication and traceability.”
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