Growers and merchants gathered in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province on Friday for a festival featuring lychee, the ruby-red tropical fruit in season, in an effort to expand both domestic and international markets.
The "June-6 Lychee Festival" -- a play on the Chinese word for "give" and the fruit's name -- highlighted efforts to promote the province's special product through tastings, brand collaborations, and new product launches.
With a cultivation history stretching back 2,000 years, Guangdong grows more than 60 varieties of the sweet, floral-scented fruit. Farmers from across the province brought their harvests to the event, hoping to attract buyers and promote brands.
"I believe that leveraging the power of brand marketing today, the sales of our Nanshan lychee will be further boosted, allowing more friends to learn about our Nanshan lychees from the Internet and other promotion channels," said Zeng Yani, an agronomist at Xili Orchard from Shenzhen's Nanshan District. The festival also saw agreements signed between Guangdong's agricultural authorities, media groups and e-commerce platforms to expand sales channel.
From growers, merchants, logistics providers to brand agents and internet influencers, people along the lychee industrial chain are joining forces to explore more opportunities for the local specialty.
Major lychee-producing cities, including Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, and Huizhou, secured deals with domestic and international distributors.
Beyond fresh fruit sales, businesses also brought deep-processed drinks made from the iconic southern China fruit, including lychee-flavored soft drinks, and vinegar beverages aimed at younger consumers.
"The lychee planting area in Huidong is about 8,000 hectares, of which 4,000 hectares are 'Huai Zhi' lychees. Its sweetness and sourness are very suitable for making our lychee vinegar drink. We plan to purchase about 7,000 tons of lychees from fruit growers, which will also increase their income," said Cai Licai, deputy sales manager of Guangdong Lychee Industry Investment Co., Ltd.
Festival held in Guangdong to boost lychee sales
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
