Litchi in Dinajpur: Yield good, sales yet to pick up

Litchis, grown in Dinajpur, hit the markets in the district about a week ago but sales have not picked up yet, traders say.

“We hope that the sale of litchis will get the momentum within a week,” said Aktar Hossain, a fruit seller at Kalitola market, which is the largest one for the juicy fruit in Dinajpur.

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Officials from the Department of Horticulture in the district expect production of around 25,000 tonnes of litchis this season. Around 5,500 hectares of land is under litchi cultivation in Dinajpur -- this comprises around 3,000 large and small litchi orchards.

“Yield is quite satisfactory so far though there have been some storms,” said Imrul Ahsan, a horticulturist from the department.

Farmers are also expecting a good yield.

During a visit to the wholesale litchi markets in Dinajpur, this correspondent found all varieties of the fruit, except the famous Bombai variety, on sale.

Traders said Madrazi, Bedana, China, Kathali and Hariya are already available in the markets.

Each variety offers a unique taste to litchi lovers. Madrazi is sold at Tk 2,500 per thousand pieces. China between Tk 6,000 to Tk 8,000, Bedana between Tk 4,000 to Tk 6,000 and Kathali and Hariya are sold around Tk 4,000.

Traders and growers said the prices are good compared to that of the last season.