ISHS Acta Horticulturae 558: I International Symposium on Litchi and Longan
OVERVIEW OF LITCHI PRODUCTION IN SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL |
| Authors: | O.K. Yamanishi, J.A. Machado Filho, R. Kavati |
| Keywords: | Bengal, São Paulo, CEAGESP, commercialization, litchi, production |
| Abstract:
The commercial litchi production started in the 1970s in a few orchards located in the western region (Bauru, Avai and Tupã) of São Paulo State. The high profitability achieved by litchi growers in the 1990s resulted in new areas being planted throughout the State. The latest survey, carried out in 95/96, registered 347 ha of cultivated area with 102 growers. The average area in the new plantings is 1.4 ha/grower compared with 10 ha in the 70s due to the high cost of nursery plants (US$ 5.00~8.00/plant), associated with a long non-bearing period (5~7 years). The main cultivar ‘Bengal’ reaches 125 kg/tree in adult trees using irrigation. This cultivar shows a pronounced alternate bearing habit, with harvesting period from November to January. At CEAGESP – São Paulo. Wholesale Market – fruit are commercialized using cardboard boxes with 3.5 kg net weight. The quantity of litchi commercialized at CEAGESP increased from 9,401 boxes in 1994 to 69,389 boxes in 1997, the State of São Paulo being the main supplier with 97% of the total. As litchi production is anchored, practically, to one cultivar – ‘Bengal’ – the harvesting peak is concentrated in a single period. In 97/98 and 98/99 seasons, respectively, 61% and 66% of the quantity commercialized at CEAGESP was in December resulting in lower prices during this period. However, the demand was still higher than the supply keeping the prices relatively elevated. The price dropped from US$ 29.26/box in December 1995 to US$ 12.50/box in December 1997, as production gradually increased from year to year. It is possible that the main constraints for litchi production in Brazil include the lack of information regarding adequate technologies for nutrition, irrigation, pest management and post harvest handling of the fruit, as well as lack of variable genetic material (early- and late-season cultivars in relation to ‘Bengal’) with fruit having a high percentage of aborted seeds and good quality pulp. | |
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