Litchi starts appearing in Jashore, Khulna markets

Litchi, one of the most popular seasonal fruits in the country, has started appearing on a limited scale in the local markets of Jashore and Khulna.

Currently, the local varieties of litchi are being sold. But, the other varieties are expected to come to the markets within the next couple of weeks abundantly.

Growers and traders of the district are pleased with the high price of the seasonal mouthwatering fruit litchi. In the advent of the season, every 100 litchi fruit is being sold at Tk 300-700 based on quality and size.

In Jashore district, litchi haat is being seen in Monihar and Boshundia areas every day.

This season, a total of 649 hectares of land have been brought under litchi cultivation in eight upazilas of the district. Different varieties of litchi including China-3, Bombay, Bari, Bari-4, Mojaffar, Ishwardi, Bedana and Elachi are grown in the region. Among those, Mojaffar variety is the most popular variety.

District Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said litchi cultivation is being popular day by day in the district. Litchi has mostly been cultivated on 264 hectares of land under Sadar upazila and 125 hectares of land in Bagharpara upazila in the current season, he added.

Litchi growers of the district are expecting bumper yield this season amid favourable weather conditions. Garden owner Bozlur Rashid at Dakatia village under Sadar upazila said: “We predict bumper litchi production this season in the district if the climatic condition remains favourable till the end of May.”

“Yearly a tree can produce around 2,000 to 3,000 pieces of litchis,” he said.

Deputy Director of the district DAE Monzurul Haque said a high yield of litchi came in the district this year as the weather was favourable.

In Khulna, both litchi and mango have started appearing in the local markets of the city and its adjacent areas. The fruit shops of Khulna are now brimming with delicious summer fruits. The price of litchis and mangoes are within the grasp of customers amid bumper production, with high demand in the city markets.