Litchi season in full swing at Kapasia’s Raniganj Bazar amid high prices

The litchi trade has been underway for the past two weeks in Raniganj Bazar of Kapasia upazila, Gazipur.

The market remains abuzz from 5:00am to 9:00pm, with prices soaring this year due to limited supply.

While consumers are unhappy over the high prices, the farmers appear upbeat.

"This time, Bombay, Bellary, and China-3 varieties of litchi have entered the market," said Mokhlesur Rahman, deputy assistant plant conservation officer in Kapasia.

As of today morning, 1,000 pieces of Bellary litchis were being sold for Tk 3,500 to Tk 4,000, while the more sought-after Bombay variety was priced between Tk 5,000 and Tk 6,000.

The litchis are being transported to various parts of the country, including Ashulia in Dhaka, Gouripur in Cumilla, Bajitpur in Kishoreganj, Shekerchar in Narsingdi, Purbachal in Dhaka, and Kanchan in Narayanganj.

Photo: Star

Chamad Mia from Beguhati village has cultivated 200 trees, Wasim Mia of Baligaon has 300 trees, while Ershad Sarkar of Nasera village has 460 trees -- all growing the Bellary variety.

Despite a bumper yield, they say the size of the litchis has been affected by unfavourable weather.

"We are selling 1,000 local litchis for Tk 3,500 to Tk 4,000 depending on the size," said the farmers.

Majnu Mia, 40, of Baligaon village, shared, "I am selling 100 litchis for Tk 400."

Faruk Mia, who came from Itakhla in Narsingdi, said, "I am buying 1,000 litchis for Tk 3,000. Buying litchis from this market gives me more profit."

However, Shah Alam, who travelled from Bancharampur in Cumilla, said, "I am walking around with money in my hand without getting litchis. If I cannot buy litchis after coming from such a distance, what will happen to my business?"

When contacted, Abul Hossain, the leaseholder of the market, said, "We are collecting rent of Tk 80 for every 1,000 litchis. There is no rent from farmers. We are collecting rent only from those who are buyers."

Upazila Agriculture Officer Suman Kumar Bashak noted that litchis have been cultivated on 327 hectares of land this year.

"The target for litchi production this season will be met. There are still plenty of litchis in the gardens," he said, adding, "It is true that the size of the litchis is smaller this year due to this adverse weather."