While it only represents a fraction of exports to North America, the European Union will likely receive 33% more litchis from Chinese grower-shipper Foshan Fuyi Food Co.

The Guangdong-based company's trade manager Ivy Chen told www.freshfruitportal.com her company's presence in Europe began in 2006 with just one container, but in 2013 Foshan sent nine containers to the European Union.

"In 2014, we hope to export 12 containers. Few Europeans eat litchis though so it's a very limited market," Chen said during Fruit Logistica in Berlin.

"European people know litchis from Thailand, but few people know litchis from China."

However, she said due to her litchis' color, sizing and taste, they were often able to beat out the Thai competition, yielding higher prices.

She said the U.S. and Canada represented the biggest market for the company's fruit, receiving around 100 containers a year; a rate she expected would stay steady.

Foshan's litchi season runs from May to July, hiring about 120 people during that period and sending most of the fruit by sea. However, some fruit is exported by airfreight.

Photo: Fsfuyi.com

www.freshfruitportal.com