Record-breaking high temperatures for several consecutive days have accelerated the ripening process of litchis in Nanshan District. 

According to sources from Xili Orchard, the early maturing variety of Nanshan litchi, Feizixiao, was already available on the market on June 3, a week earlier than last year's launch on June 11.

The early maturing variety of Nanshan litchi, Feizixiao, at Xili Orchard.  Photo courtesy of the orchard

“Nuomici will be launched on June 12, with Guiwei slightly delayed by two days,”said Qiu Jindan, head of the orchard's R&D department. Both of the two popular litchi varieties have matured a week earlier than last year.

“In previous years, Guiwei and Nuomici were basically available on the market simultaneously, usually from June 18 to 20.” In addition, Qiu believes that the hot weather in recent days may make litchis smaller than in previous years. However, the sweetness will not be affected, and they will even be sweeter.

The main litchi varieties in Nanshan include Feizixiao, Guiwei and Nuomici. Guiwei and Nuomici are the dominant varieties with the highest yield.

Xili Orchard is the main growing area for litchis in Shenzhen, with a large planting base and a team of agricultural experts.

The orchard has nearly 10,000 litchi trees, including over 1,000 Feizixiao trees, and over 8,000 Guiwei and Nuomici trees. The orchard manages over 8,600 litchi trees in Yueliangwan and Lilin parks, covering an area of over 1,200 mu (80 hectares). The oldest trees in the park are over 300 years old.

It is estimated that the total production of litchis at Xili Orchard this year will be 300,000 kilograms.

After a bumper harvest, the price of litchis will decrease compared to last year. The initial price for Feizixiao will be 7.5 yuan (US$1) per kilogram. For Guiwei and Nuomici, the price will be 12.5 yuan and 17.5 yuan per kilogram, respectively.

Interested citizens can make reservations to pick litchis at Xili Orchard from June 3 to 30. The ticket is 80 yuan per person.