Hsinchu lychee harvest plummets to less than 30% of last year's yield

Residents of Hsinchu City are being urged to quickly savor the local Black Leaf lychees, as this year's harvest has drastically decreased to less than 30% of last year's output. Unseasonably cold temperatures and excessive moisture during the lychee's flowering period significantly impacted the fruit's development, leading to a sharp decline in production.

Wang Ming-yuan, head of the Hsinchu City Lychee Production and Marketing Class, lamented that farmers are at the mercy of the weather. He noted that some farmers who harvested 8,000 to 10,000 jin (approximately 4,000 to 5,000 kg) of lychees last year are now yielding less than 3,000 jin (approximately 1,500 kg) this season.

To help promote the remaining harvest and other local agricultural products, the Hsinchu City Government and the City Farmers' Association are hosting a lychee festival at the Far Eastern Department Store. The event offers fresh lychees, local honey, eggs, and other farm products, allowing consumers to purchase high-quality Hsinchu produce. The festival also includes hands-on activities, attracting families.

The festival aims to provide consumers with an opportunity to buy fresh lychees and other local specialties, especially during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The event showcases various lychee varieties, including Black Leaf, Guiwei, and Nuomi, alongside other acclaimed local products like "Run Chicken" eggs and honey. This initiative supports local farmers facing reduced yields due to adverse weather conditions.