Hai Duong (VNA)ꦫ - Aeon Global Merchandising Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Japanese retailer AEON Group, plans to export about 30 tonnes of fresh lychees to Japan this year, up 120% from last year’s figure, according to the company’s representative.

A delegation of the company visited a lychee growing area in Thanh Ha district, the northern province of Hai Duong, on May 30. They also talked with local farmers to learn about the caring process, output, and harvest time. Matsuda Naoki, a specialist in charge of purchasing fresh farm produce at Aeon Global Merchandising, said that the Hai Duong lychee sold at the Aeon supermarket system was well received by Japanese consumers. In addition to putting lychee on the shelves of Aeon supermarkets, the company will also organise more promotional activities so that the fruit becomes more popular among Japanese people, he said. This is the second time they have visited the lychee growing area in Thanh Ha, Matsuda said, adding that they are very satisfied with the fruit's quality as well as the farming and caring process following Global GAP standards. Matsuda voiced hope that growers will seriously comply with Global GAP standards and strictly control pesticide residues. Meanwhile, authorities and agencies should create varieties that are more resistant to harsh weather conditions and bear seedless fruits to increase the export volume. Aeon, which has imported the Thanh Ha lychee for five years, is set to continue to import the fruit into Japan in the coming years, he added. According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hai Duong's lychee output in 2024 is estimated at 40,000-45,000 tonnes, with the early-ripening fruit estimated at 30,000 tonnes. The main crop is scheduled to be harvested from June 10 to the month's end./.