Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s longan and lychee production is expected to decline significantly in 2026 as the prolonged impacts of El Niño and erratic weather conditions continue to affect fruit cultivation, according to the country’s Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE).
In a production and price outlook report released on June 18, the OAE said unfavourable weather during the flowering period between late December 2025 and February 2026 was the main factor behind the projected drop in output. Intermittent cold spells alternating with periods of unusually high temperatures disrupted flowering, while drought conditions during fruit-setting further reduced yields in key growing areas.
OAE Secretary-General Peerapan Korthong said Thailand’s longan production is forecast at around 1.4 million tonnes in 2026, down nearly 9% from the previous year. The harvested area is expected to reach about 1.61 million rai (over 257,000 hectares), a decline of 1.27%, while average yields are projected to fall by 7.57% to 867 kg per rai.
Lychee production is forecast to fall even more sharply. The OAE estimates total output at only 22,000 tonnes in 2026, down nearly 39% year-on-year. Harvested area is projected to decrease by 1.51% to around 77,000 rai, while average yields could plunge by almost 38%.
The reduced supply has helped keep prices high. In May 2026, farm-gate prices for fresh longans ranged from 21.5–25.75 THB (0.66–0.79 USD) per kg, depending on quality. Hong Huay lychees were sold at 20.5–22 THB per kg, while premium Chakkraphat lychees harvested late in the season fetched between 50 and 80 THB per kg.
The OAE noted that production forecasts could still be adjusted depending on rainfall and weather conditions in the coming months./.
