Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how Guangdong lychee, known as the "Eastern Love Fruit," has successfully navigated challenges in international markets, particularly in the U.S., through technological advancements and strategic planning [1][3]. Group 1: Transportation and Preservation Challenges - Lychee is a delicate fruit that requires careful handling during long-distance transportation, with a need to maintain a constant temperature of 0°C throughout the shipping process [3]. - The first batch of lychee reached New York when local late-maturing varieties were nearly out of season, necessitating the cultivation of varieties that are suitable for transport and have good taste [3]. - Guangdong has adapted by increasing the planting area of transport-friendly varieties like "White Sugar Lychee" and "Feizixiao," and developing new varieties to extend the supply period [3][4]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - A total of 306 "smart stations" have been established in Maoming to rapidly freeze and pre-cool lychee within one hour of harvest [4]. - Various preservation technologies, including physical, plant-based, biological sources, and new packaging materials, have been implemented, allowing certain varieties to be preserved for up to 40 days [4]. - The transportation system has been upgraded to an efficient network combining air transport, cold chain logistics, and drones [4]. Group 3: Market Expansion and Performance - In the first half of the year, Guangzhou exported 1,099.3 tons of lychee, a 2.5-fold increase year-on-year, with the U.S. becoming the second-largest export market, seeing a 26-fold increase [6]. - Maoming's lychee exports reached 7,070.6 tons, a year-on-year growth of approximately 140%, with a total value of 1.02 billion RMB, up 57% [6]. - Guangdong lychee has gained popularity globally, with over 40 countries and regions importing it, and premium varieties are well-received in international markets [6].

Core Insights - The "Oriental Love Fruit" from Guangdong lychee has become a star consumer product, with a 179% year-on-year increase in search volume on Meituan's platform, and specific varieties like "Lychee King," "Guiwei," and "Feizixiao" seeing over 200% growth [1] Group 1: Industry Developments - A lychee production and sales matchmaking conference was held in Huizhou, Guangdong, focusing on variety research, freshness preservation technology, and production-sales connections [1] - Meituan signed cooperation agreements with Guangdong Zhongli Agricultural Group to extend the lychee harvest season through new variety research and to establish a comprehensive freshness preservation system [1] - Zhongli Group, known for its high-quality export standards, aims to enhance product quality and service for domestic consumers through increased investment in technology and marketing [1] Group 2: Supply Chain and Distribution - Meituan plans to leverage its nationwide instant delivery network to create a digital channel for Guangdong lychee, ensuring fresh products reach consumers quickly [2] - Direct sourcing bases have been established in lychee orchards to provide high-quality lychee directly to Meituan users, with immediate pre-cooling and cold chain logistics to minimize handling time [2] - Zhongli Group is adapting its business model to address external challenges and is focusing on expanding its domestic market presence with Meituan's support [2] Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - The Guangdong "Hundred Counties, Thousand Towns, and Ten Thousand Villages" project aims to enhance the trade flow of lychee and support agricultural exports [3] - Meituan's "Linking Hundred Cities, Promoting Lychee Agriculture" initiative aims to build a comprehensive lychee production and sales network across 100 cities, utilizing its rapid delivery capabilities and cold chain logistics [3]

Group 1 - Meituan has launched the "Linking Hundred Cities · Meili Xingnong" initiative to enhance the sales of Guangdong lychee, signing cooperation agreements with local agricultural groups and cooperatives [1] - The sales volume of Guangdong lychee has doubled, with Meituan leveraging its nationwide instant delivery network to create a digital channel for direct consumer access [1] - The search volume for "lychee" on Meituan has increased by 179% year-on-year, indicating a growing consumer interest in this fruit [2] Group 2 - Meituan has formed a strategic partnership with Guangdong Zhongli Agricultural Group to extend the lychee harvest season through new variety research and a comprehensive freshness preservation system [2] - The Guangdong Zhongli Agricultural Group, previously focused on exports, is now shifting towards domestic sales due to global market fluctuations, aiming to stabilize income for local farmers [3] - The collaboration with Meituan allows Zhongli to enhance product quality and service, benefiting nearly ten thousand farmers associated with their cooperative orchards [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant growth in lychee exports from Guangdong, China, particularly in 2025, driven by improved preservation technologies and increased international demand [1][3][21]. Group 1: Export Growth - Guangdong's ports handle over 70% of lychee exports, with a surge in shipments as the lychee harvest peaks [2][21]. - The price of lychees in international markets has doubled compared to 2024, indicating strong demand and market acceptance [3][21]. - The average customs clearance time for exported goods has been reduced to 9.6 minutes, enhancing the efficiency of lychee exports [21]. Group 2: Preservation and Transportation - Advanced preservation technologies, such as ultra-low temperature freezing, allow lychees to maintain freshness and extend their market availability throughout the year [13][9]. - Air transportation is increasingly utilized for lychee exports, accounting for 10% of total exports in 2025, significantly reducing delivery times [15][17]. - The time from lychee harvest to retail in the Middle East is now under 48 hours, showcasing the efficiency of the supply chain [21][25]. Group 3: International Market Demand - Lychees are gaining popularity in various international markets, including Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America [22][24]. - In Dubai, lychees are prominently displayed in supermarkets, with rapid sales indicating high consumer demand [24][25]. - The "Bai Tang Ning" variety of lychee, known for its quality, is particularly favored in international markets, selling at a premium price [25].

Core Insights - The article highlights the launch of the first batch of 60 tons of high-quality Guangdong lychees for export to the North American market, emphasizing the importance of stringent quality control and innovation in cultivation [1][3] - The Guangdong province is a major contributor to the global lychee supply, with China producing 70% of the world's lychees, and over half of that coming from Guangdong [1] - The establishment of an export base cooperation project involving ten cities in Guangdong aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem from cultivation to export, enhancing the standardization and scalability of the lychee industry [1] Group 1 - The event marked the simultaneous launch of the Guangdong lychee export initiative and the global release of high-quality lychees by Zhongli Group [1] - Zhongli Group's chairman emphasized the need for innovation in variety and strict quality control to ensure the premium quality of their lychees [1] - The project will leverage the unique characteristics of lychee cultivation across ten cities, providing year-round supply and integrating advanced management techniques [1] Group 2 - Product innovation is identified as a key strategy for expanding into international markets, with Zhongli Group introducing several new lychee varieties [3] - The "Volcanic Rock Lychee" and "Guangli Red Lychee" are highlighted for their unique flavors and characteristics, while the patented "Late Beauty" variety extends the supply period [3] - The introduction of the "Zhongli Huadan" IP image, which combines traditional opera elements with lychee culture, aims to enhance the cultural value of the product [3]