Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of lychee farming in China, highlighting the contrast between low prices benefiting consumers and the financial stress faced by farmers due to decreasing prices near cost levels [2][3] - The article features two young farmers, Lin Feng and Xiao Lei, who adopt different sales strategies to cope with the high yield of lychees this year [2][3] Production and Yield - Lin Feng's lychee yield this year reached 30,000 pounds, a threefold increase from last year's 10,000 pounds, indicating a significant harvest year [3] - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs projects that by 2025, the national lychee planting area will be approximately 7.52 million acres, with an expected total output of 3.45 million tons, doubling year-on-year [3] Pricing Dynamics - The price of lychees has been declining, with Lin Feng noting that prices have dropped to a few cents per pound as the harvest season progresses [3][7] - Prices for different lychee varieties vary significantly, with early varieties like "Feizi Xiao" and "Bai Tang Ning" selling for 12 yuan per pound around the Dragon Boat Festival, while later varieties like "Gui Wei" have seen prices drop from 10 yuan to 3-4 yuan per pound [7][9] Sales Strategies - Lin Feng primarily relies on offline retail and direct sales to wholesalers, while Xiao Lei has shifted to online sales through platforms like Douyin and WeChat [18][21] - Lin Feng's family sells lychees directly at local markets, with daily sales reaching around 200 yuan, while Xiao Lei sells an average of 50 boxes of lychees daily at a price of 8 yuan per pound, generating a net income of 800 yuan after labor costs [18][31] Labor and Operational Challenges - The labor-intensive nature of lychee farming is highlighted, with Lin Feng's parents working long hours during the harvest season, often without breaks [17][30] - Xiao Lei employs several workers for harvesting and packaging, incurring significant labor costs, which adds to the operational challenges faced by farmers [21][24] Financial Outlook - Despite lower prices, the increased yield has led to higher overall income for some farmers, with Lin Feng estimating a total income increase of 10,000 yuan compared to last year [30][34] - Xiao Lei anticipates an income of around 30,000 yuan this year, benefiting from effective online marketing strategies [31]