Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDried
Industry PositionProcessed Fruit Product
Market
Taiwan has a well-established seasonal lychee production base, with fresh fruit mainly supplied from southern and central producing counties, and lychee can also be processed into dried products. Dried lychee in Taiwan is a niche processed-fruit item positioned as a shelf-stable snack and ingredient, supplied via both domestic processing and imports (current import share is not publicly quantified). Market access for dried lychee is primarily shaped by Taiwan’s border inspection system for imported foods and strict compliance expectations on pesticide residues, permitted additives (including sulfites), and labeling. Retail distribution for packaged processed foods in Taiwan is concentrated in convenience stores, supermarkets/hypermarkets, and e-commerce channels.
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with seasonal domestic lychee production; dried-lychee is a niche processed-fruit product supplied by local processing and imports (import share not publicly quantified).
Domestic RoleFresh lychee is a seasonal domestic fruit crop; part of the crop can be value-added through drying/dehydration into shelf-stable dried lychee products for domestic retail and gifting use.
SeasonalityDried lychee can be available year-round in Taiwan due to shelf-stable storage, but domestic raw-material availability is seasonal, with Taiwan’s main lychee harvest window concentrated roughly from late spring through summer.
Specification
Primary VarietyHei Ye (黑葉)
Secondary Variety- Yu Her Pau (玉荷包)
- Nuomici (糯米滋)
- Guiwei (桂味)
- San Yue Hong (三月紅)
Physical Attributes- Dried, pitted/seed-removed lychee flesh with uniform cut/size appropriate to the product style
- Free from visible mold growth, insect fragments, and foreign matter under buyer and regulator expectations for packaged dried fruit
- Moisture-controlled to prevent stickiness, clumping, and microbial spoilage during shelf life
Compositional Metrics- If sulfites are used, residual sulfur dioxide (SO2) must comply with Taiwan MOHW food-additive standards; for 'other dried fruits' the residual SO2 limit is specified as 0.50 g/kg in the additive standard.
- Pesticide residues must comply with TFDA Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods; pesticides not listed in the standards must not be detected.
Packaging- Moisture-barrier sealed packaging (pouches/jars) to control moisture uptake and oxidation-related quality loss
- Sulfite allergen labeling is required in Taiwan if sulphite is present as residual SO2 at 10 mg/kg or more in prepackaged foods
- For very small prepackaged foods, Taiwan provides a simplified/QR-code disclosure approach under TFDA rules (applicable only if the package qualifies as 'small prepackaged food')
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Fresh lychee (domestic seasonal) → peeling/pitting → dehydration/drying → cooling → sorting → packaging → wholesaler/importer distribution → retail/e-commerce
- Imported dried lychee → TFDA import inspection (verification and/or sampling) → importer warehousing → retail/e-commerce
Temperature- Shelf-stable distribution is feasible at ambient temperatures when packaging prevents moisture uptake and limits oxidation
- Avoid prolonged high-heat exposure in storage/transport to reduce browning and flavor loss risk
Shelf Life- Shelf life is primarily driven by moisture control and packaging integrity; compromised seals can cause texture change and spoilage risk
- Oxidation-related darkening and aroma loss are key quality risks during extended storage
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighDried lychee shipments can be detained, rejected, or recalled in Taiwan if sulfite use exceeds MOHW residual SO2 limits for dried fruits and/or if required allergen labeling for sulphite (residual SO2 ≥10 mg/kg) is missing or incorrect on prepackaged product labels.Implement pre-shipment lab testing for residual SO2 and a Taiwan-label compliance review; ensure sulphite allergen statements are present when applicable and that additive use matches MOHW permitted scope/limits.
Pesticide Residues MediumTaiwan’s pesticide residue regime requires compliance with TFDA standards and explicitly disallows detection of pesticides not listed in the official tables, increasing non-compliance risk for dried fruit made from treated raw lychee.Use supplier pesticide programs aligned with Taiwan MRL expectations and run multi-residue testing prior to shipment; require full spray records and lot-based traceability from origin suppliers.
Climate MediumTaiwan’s lychee supply is seasonal and sensitive to weather conditions; adverse conditions during flowering/fruit development can reduce domestic raw-material availability for local drying, tightening supply for Taiwan-made dried lychee in poor crop years.Diversify procurement between domestic processors and import sources; build inventory plans around Taiwan’s main harvest window and maintain buffer stocks for peak sales periods.
Logistics MediumSea-freight disruptions can delay replenishment and increase landed costs for imported dried lychee, impacting retail program continuity even though the product is shelf-stable.Use longer lead times and staggered shipments; maintain safety stock in Taiwan and qualify alternate origins and forwarders to reduce single-route dependency.
FAQ
What is the most common compliance issue that can block dried lychee sales in Taiwan?Sulfite compliance is a frequent deal-breaker: if sulfites are used, residual sulfur dioxide (SO2) must stay within the MOHW food-additive limits for dried fruits, and Taiwan requires allergen labeling when sulphite is present as residual SO2 at 10 mg/kg or more on prepackaged foods.
What documents are typically required for TFDA import inspection of commercial dried lychee shipments?Under Taiwan’s import inspection rules for foods, importers must submit an application form for inspection, a declaration form of product information, a photocopy of the import declaration application, and any additional documents TFDA requests for the specific product/lot.
When is Taiwan’s lychee season, and why does it matter for dried lychee supply?Taiwan’s lychee harvest is concentrated from roughly May to August (with variations by region/variety). This seasonality matters because it is the main domestic window for sourcing fresh lychee for dehydration into Taiwan-made dried lychee; outside the window, shelf-stable inventory and imports become more important.