Litchi starts appearing in market

RAJSHAHI, May 11: Litchi, a juicy fruit that ripens in Bangla month of Jyestha, has started appearing in local market, but its price is high.

Traders say the litchi price will remain high this year as its production has fallen drastically due to the sultry summer heat.

Due to the low yield of litchi, its price is beyond the purchasing capacity of common people, they add.

They further say litchi trees produced a lot of blossoms this season, but most buds fell off due to rain.

"Moreover, 60 per cent of litchi buds was destroyed by severe heatwave, so its orchard owners and traders fear huge losses," a trader said.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), litchi has been cultivated on 530 hectares of land in Rajshahi this season, 18 hectares more than last year's.

This year, the DAE has set a production target of around 3,800 tonnes of litchi.

During a visit to some areas, including Chhotabangram, Raipara, Puthia and Mohanpur, this correspondent has found Bombay, Madraji, Kadmi, Mozaffarpuri, Bedana, Kalibari, Mangalbari, China-3, Bari-1, Bari-2 and Bari-3 varieties in Barind region.

At present, litchi orchard owners have started to take a small amount of litchi to markets in the early season. Some harvest unripe litchi to get more profits.

A trader, Hasmat Ali, who has bought a litchi orchard at Chotabangram in the city, said some early varieties of litchi are being harvested, but their yields are low due to the adverse weather.

"Moreover, litchi buds were destroyed due to a severe heatwave. As a result, labour costs are increasing."

"Even if I sell 100 litchis for Tk 300, it will not be profitable. But we sell 1000 litchi to traders for Tk 2500. They will sell it at a higher price," he says.

Traders have set up makeshift shops at different points in the city, especially in Shaheb Bazar, Bindurmore, Laxmipur Bazar, Sheroil Bus Terminal, Railway Station and Court Bazaar, to sell the mouthwatering fruit.

They say Bombay and other varieties of litchi will be available in market after a few more days.

Shahriar Hossain, a litchi grower of Paba upazila of Rajshahi, has said he has 70 litchi trees which was bloomed and buds were dropped due to the heatwave.

Aminul Islam, who came to buy litchi at Sahib Bazar, says, "I've bought only 50 litchis as its price was high."

Shafiqul Islam, chief scientific officer of the Rajshahi Fruit Research Institute, has said some local litchis are available in market before the beginning of Jyestha month.

Mst Umme Salma, deputy director (acting) of the DAE in Rajshahi, has said, "Despite some damage to litchi buds due to the searing heat, there will be no shortage of litchi in the market this season. The litchi price will come down when its peak season will begin."

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