Australian Lychee Growers Association are members of Plant Health Australia and represent the biosecurity interests of lychee growers and the industry. They are involved in:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives.
Industry overview
In 2014–15, lychee production was valued at $16 million (LVP). Current annual production ranges from 2,250 to 3,500 tonnes, depending on climatic and seasonal conditions.
Australian lychees are available to consumers on the domestic and export markets for a 6-month period from October to March. This gives Australia a significant advantage over other suppliers on world markets, as no other country can offer such a long line of supply of fresh lychee during the northern hemisphere winter.
While the majority of lychees are grown for domestic consumption, export demand is increasing. Small niche markets are also being developed by producers using Australian lychee for a range of other value added products. Australian lychees were exported to the United States during the 2016 season as part of a 3-year pilot program that is expected to fully open the market for future lychee export.
In 2016 the governments of Queensland and Taiwan signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing the import into Australia of several hundred marcotts of six new TaiNung Taiwan lychee varieties. After a 12-month post-entry quarantine period, the plants will be trial grown on selected orchards. If successful, the new varieties will then be available to other interested lychee growers.
The lychee industry is covered by version 1.0 of the lychee biosecurity plan.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of lychee production 2009–15 (LVP)
Distribution of lychee production by state and territory 2014–15 (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.
