The northern province of Bac Giang has sold at least 39,451 tonnes of litchi, equivalent to 40 per cent of its total produce, a local official said on Friday.

Of this, 30,049 tonnes are early-season litchi, while the remaining is the main crop, according to Dao Xuan Cuong, deputy director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade.

So far, Viet Nam has shipped around 11,000 tonnes and 13 tonnes to China and Australia, respectively. Another 27,756 tonnes were sold in the country, mostly in northern localities such as Ha Noi, Da Nang, Thua Thien-Hue, HCM City, and some southern provinces.

During the Luc Ngan-Bac Giang Litchi Week, 45 tonnes of Bac Giang litchi were sold to the Big C supermarket chain, around three tonnes went to Hapro, and around two tonnes to Saigon Coop chain, which all meet VietGap or GlobalGAP standards.

This year, litchi has fetched VND25,000 to VND72,000 (US$1.1-$2.6) per kg, which is 5-10 per cent higher than last year, the department reported. – VNS