- D L Milne
- PO Box 466, Duiwelskloof 0835
- 2000
Results of the 1998/99 litchi tree· census are summarised in tabular form. The trend away from McLean’s Red towards Mauritius plantings has continued. Mauritius now constitutes 84% of all plantings. The Onderberg area is now responsible for 50% of all trees planted. No significant increase in exports has taken place over the past ten years.
Summary:
- The 1998-99 South African litchi census found that Mauritius is now the dominant cultivar, making up 84% of plantings, with a continued decline in McLeans Red plantings.
- The Onderberg area has emerged as the leading production region, now responsible for 50% of all planted litchi trees.
- There has been no significant increase in litchi exports over the past decade, despite fluctuations from drought and increased competition from Madagascar.
- The majority (93%) of trees under 10 years old are of the Mauritius cultivar, indicating a strong shift in planting preference.
- The total number of litchi trees recorded in the census is about 140,000, but a corrected estimate is closer to 200,000 trees due to sampling methods.
- Tree planting density has increased, with new orchards showing a trend toward higher density (200–280 trees per hectare), making orchard management more critical.
- The proportion of growers managing over 1,000 trees has increased to 42%, suggesting more commercial-scale operations.
- In the 1998-99 season, Mauritius comprised 78% of all exports, but extreme rainfall negatively affected McLeans Red yields in Tzaneen, the main production area for this cultivar.
- Local sales and informal markets (such as roadside stalls and direct sales) may be higher than formal data indicates.
- Plantings of new cultivars are minimal, with only 1,500 new trees recorded; their market impact will not be felt for several years.
- The growth of the industry has slowed, with a marked shift toward Mauritius, likely resulting in greater harvest peaks in November-December and logistical pressures during that time.