24/11/2020 | Madagascar

According to professionals in the lychee sector in Madagascar, the year will be special. The Covid-19 crisis in Europe, the main export market for lychee from Madagascar, is likely to cause some changes in terms of demand.

 

 

 

In Madagascar, the 2020 campaign started on November 13, a little ahead of last year's calendar. According to the producers, an early season is a guarantee of quality, with fruit of good maturity and good size.

 

 

 

While the campaign in Madagascar got off to a good start, European importers reduced their orders by around 20% in volume. For fear that customers will not be able to consume normally during the end of the year holidays because of the confinements and various restrictions decided in Europe.

 

 

 

According to professionals, Madagascar should export between 12,000 and 14,000 tonnes of lychees this year. A volume far from the 18,000 exported in 2018. The 1st of the 2 ships bound for Europe left Tamatave on November 16 and the 2nd ship on November 20. In time to be in Europe well before the end of the year holidays, a period synonymous with high demand for lychees.

 

 

 

Madagascar is the 3rd largest producer in the world behind China and India and the 1st supplier to the European market where its main competitors are South Africa, Reunion Island, Mauritius and Mozambique.