Lychee trading peaks in Rajshahi markets

Trading and marketing of lychee have reached a peak everywhere in Rajshahi region involving hundreds of labourers both male and female in harvesting, segregating and transporting the delicious seasonal fruit.

Market sources said harvest has been continuing in full swing with plenty of supply, huge demand and better prices in the local markets making both the lychee growers and traders happier this season.

Seasonal traders set up makeshift shops at different points in the city especially Shaheb Bazar, Bindurmore, Lakhsmipur Bazar, Sheroil Bus Terminal, Railway station and Court bazaar with the eye-catching fruit.

Trader Faridul Islam at the New Market gate area said on Tuesday that many farmers are harvesting lychee with the hope of getting good earnings.

He, however, said the market price of the mouth-watering fruit is comparatively high this season due to less production. A comfortable situation everywhere in society is very important to make any business profitable, Islam added.

Considering the low supply amid high demand, traders say prices may rise.

Mozammel Haque, a farmer of Duary village under Paba upazila, said he brought his lychees to the local wholesale market for sale on Monday.

“Price is good but the production was frustrating against expectations,” he added.

Dr Alim Uddin, principal scientific officer of Fruit Research Station, told BSS that lychee is grown well in Rajshahi and Dinajpur districts in the country’s northwest region but the fruit of Ishwardi is very delicious and famous across the country.

In Rajshahi, there are around 1,000 hectares of lychee orchards with new ones.

Alim said commercial farming of some of the fruits especially mango and lychee is gradually increasing in the region.

Ishwardi is now being adjudged as the capital of lychee as it possesses commercial lychee orchards on more than 3,000 hectares with around three lakh trees. The age of two lakh trees is above 15 years. Apart from this, there are scores of lychee trees on homesteads and adjacent areas throughout the upazila.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarker said the number of trees is gradually increasing here as farming is being judged as profitable.