Litchi growers unhappy as price drops
The litchi growers in Rangamati are not happy even after a good yield this year as the price of the succulent fruit has dropped in the local markets in comparison with the last few years.
Visiting Banarupa Samataghat market in the town recently, our correspondent found that 100 pieces of local litchis were being sold at Tk 30-50 while the price was Tk 50-80 last year.
Traders were found to be selling China-3 litchi, a variety of the fruit, at Tk 100-150 while price varied from Tk160 to Tk 240 last year.
Dhana Moni Chakma, 35, owner of a litchi orchard in Rangamati Sadar upazila, told The Daily Star, “I have 250 trees in my orchard. The production of litchi was very good this year, but I didn’t get a good price.”
Another fruit trader Muhammad Sharif said the growers were not harvesting litchis due to the reduced price in the market.
Contacted, Paban Kumar Chakma, deputy director at Department of Agricultural Extension in Rangamati, said at least 13,000 tonnes of litchis have been produced in the district this year, whereas the productions in the previous years were less than 10,000 tonnes.
The bumper production has lowered the price of the seasonal fruit, he added.
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