Mexico marks over 50 years of commercial lychee production growth

Lychee production in Mexico traces back to the late 1800s, when Chinese migrants introduced the fruit in Sinaloa. While trees were planted over a century ago, commercial cultivation began in the 1970s.

By 2024, Mexico produced over 26,000 tons of lychees across 13 states, including Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca. The majority of the crop is exported to the United States, where demand remains strong despite the short harvest window and variations in sweetness.

In the U.S., lychees command high prices and are popular among Chinese communities for their cultural significance. Cold-chain logistics, developed by Chinese institutions and companies, now enable lychees from Guangdong to reach the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East within 72 hours.

In Latin America, lychees are considered a premium product. They are known as “chirimoya china” in Panama, and Brazil continues to expand its domestic cultivation. The fruit’s presence reflects ongoing trade ties, improved logistics, and over a century of agricultural exchange driven by migration.

source: english.news.cn

photo: mexicodesconocido.com.mx