Australian Lychee Growers Association are members of Plant Health Australia and signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Their responsibilities include:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives
- participating in national committees and response efforts in an emergency.
Industry overview
In 2015–16, lychee production was valued at $28 million (LVP). Current annual production ranges from 2,250 to 3,500 tonnes, depending on climatic and seasonal conditions.
Lychees are produced as a single annual crop with production significantly dependent on rainfall at the right time and cold winters to induce flowering. The harvest period is late October (north Queensland) to March (northern NSW) which provides the world’s longest production period.
Australian lychees have a reputation for being fresh and sweet, however retailers must store and display produce carefully to preserve the quality.
While official export trade data is not available specifically for lychees, the industry estimates that 12 to 20 per cent of annual production is exported. In 2015–16, 17 per cent of production was exported at a value of $5.5 million.
Exports are increasing and, with recently approved markets available to growers and a successful trial of shipments to the United States, there is the potential for further growth.
Most world production of lychees is counter-seasonal to Australia. The main competition for Australian lychees in the southern hemisphere is from South Africa and emerging supplies from some South American countries.
The lychee industry is covered by version 1.0 of the lychee biosecurity plan.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of lychee production, 2009–16
Distribution of lychee production by state and territory, 2015–16 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Lychee Industry
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the lychee industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs.
The Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Lychee Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email admin@phau.com.au.
