Litchi production in Shenzhen is expected to decrease this year, leading to slightly higher prices, according to a report by Shenzhen Special Zone Daily on May 19.

Local litchis are primarily produced in Nanshan District and Guanlan in Longhua District, with varieties such as Nuomici and Guiwei being the main types. The litchis will officially hit the market during the Dragon Boat Festival period, the Daily report said, citing fruit farmers.

"The current litchi yield may be only about one-tenth of last year’s yield. There will be fewer products available," said a man surnamed Wen, manager of a Xili orchard, during an interview.  

Currently, the litchis being sold in Shenzhen's supermarkets are mainly sourced from Hainan or Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province, with varieties such as Feizixiao being popular.

Industry insiders attribute this year's decrease in production to the unusually cold weather around the Spring Festival, which prevented the formation of flower buds, rather than the recent heavy rains as rumored.