Guangdong Reports Plunge in Lichee ExportGuangdong Province in south China reported a plunge in lichee export but a drastic surge in import of the fruit in the first seven months.Customs statistics show that from January to July, Guangdong's lichee import and export totaled 11,200 tons valued at 5.16 million US dollars, down by 21.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, at an annual basis. Lichee exports plunged by 80.6 percent year on year, while the imports, mainly from Thailand and Malaysia, went up by 47.3 percent, according to customs sources. The situation is due to the fact that imported lichees were ripe earlier and cheaper. Guangdong saw a drop in lichee output, which in turn drove up purchasing prices for locally produced lichees. Guangdong produces a half of the world's total output of the sweet fruit which is cultivated in warm climates. |
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