The lychee production in Maoming exceeded 620,000 metric tons in 2023, generating sales revenue of 8.85 billion yuan ($1.24 billion) from the fresh fruits.

Compared to last year, there was nearly an additional 80,000 tons produced and an increment of almost 800 million yuan in fresh fruit sales.

A farmer picks lychees in Maoming. [Photo/Nanfang Plus]

As of July 24, Maoming Customs has regulated the export of 3,636 tons of lychee, with a value of 66.5 million yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 45 percent and 21.7 percent, respectively. They have seen robust sales in over 10 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands.

In order to promote sales further, the Maoming Lychee Industry Big Data Center has released over 3 million pieces of planting technology information to more than 300,000 lychee farmers. Maoming has also established 21 purchasing and sales service centers in five main lychee-producing counties.

The e-commerce sales of lychees in Maoming reached 2.35 billion yuan, marking year-on-year growth of 9 percent and accounting for 26 percent of their total sales in the city.

At one noteworthy e-commerce event, 462 people from 111 teams participated. On that day, they sold 27,000 lychee products through live-streaming, hitting sales revenue of 3.75 million yuan. During the 30-day lychee online marketing competition, 1,060 people from 312 teams participated, resulting in an estimated sales revenue of 160 million yuan.

This year, the express delivery fee of lychees fell by 5 to 29.1 percent year-on-year. This is expected to save more than 30 million yuan.

A customized lychee tree has its unique information card. [Photo/Nanfang Plus]

Maoming has also created a customized online sales model for lychees. Once someone has 'bought' a tree, they can come and pick the ripe lychees from it with the help of local farmers, or have them delivered to their doorstep. Maoming has already sold 31,884 customized lychee trees weighing 1,594 tons this year.