It is a tropical tree native to South China, Malaysia, and northern Vietnam. Cultivation in China is documented from the 11th century. China is the main producer of litchi, followed by Vietnam, India, other countries in Southeast Asia, other countries in the Indian subcontinent, Madagascar, and South Africa. A tall evergreen tree, it bears small fleshy sweet fruits. The outside of the fruit is a pink-red, rough-textured soft shell. It has anti cancer properties, is a wealthy source of Vitamin C, phosphorus and magnesium. It is quite low in calories and also offer anti oxidant properties.

BOTANICAL NAME: Litchi chinensis

ORIGIN: Southern China

TOTAL AREA IN INDIA: 98000 ha

TOTAL PRODUCTION IN INDIA: 724000 MT

MAJOR PRODUCING STATES/DISTRICTS IN INDIA :-

• Uttrakhand (Dehradun, Pithauragarh, Nainital, Haridwar)
• West Bengal (Murshidabad, 24 Paraganas)
• Bihar (Muzzafarpur, East Champaran, Samastipur, Vaisali, Bhagalpur)
• Assam (Kamrup, Sonitpur, Bongaigaon)
• Punjab (Gurdaspur, Ropar, Hoshyarpur)
• Uttar Pradesh (Saharanpur,)
• Jharkhand & Tripura

COMMERCIAL VARIETIES WITH STATES AND VARITIES GROWN: -

Storage condition: -

Temperature: 1 - 20C

Relative Humidity: 90-95%

Storage period: 3-5 weeks

HARVESTING: May and June.

Export of 2022-23: - 586 MT

MAJOR DESTINATIONS - Nepal, Bhutan, UK, UAE, Baharain