Quality mark for early season litchis

The South African Litchi Growers ’  Association (SALGA) has re-launched the campaign to improve the quality of early season litchis offered for sale on National Fresh Produce. First launched in 2008, the program will be continued in 2009 to discourage the sale of early season litchis picked immaturely. 

Early season prices are usually very high, which tempts certain growers to pick immature litchis that are not sweet and juicy. Consumers buying this fruit pay a lot and do not have a pleasant eating experience- a sure recipe for discouraging them from buying litchis again. 

Consequently, SALGA has launched a “Quality Approved” sticker which participating packhouses/producers will affix to pallets and or boxes of litchis that are fresh, sound and have a minimum diameter of 28 mm. Litchis smaller than 28 mm in diameter are immature and will not be sweet and juicy.  

Please note that this campaign is only geared towards immature litchis of the cultivar "HLH Mauritius". Other cultivars (including Fay Zee Sui, Wai Chee and Third Months Red) may be smaller than 28mm and still be mature and sweet 

SALGA has also developed key rings which will be handed to buyers and agents at Joburg Markets. The keyrings are for use as litchi sizers and have a minimum diameter hole of 28 mm to help guide buyers if litchis are immature and thus sour. 

The aim is to discourage the purchase of immature litchis while informing and empowering buyers that litchis bearing the SALGA “Quality Approved” logo are sweet and juicy. 

Ad-hoc inspections will be carried out by SALGA to ensure that litchis bearing the SALGA “Quality Approved”  logo meet the required standards. For further information on the campaign, please contact Theo Bekker, tel: 015 306 6240.