Litchi prices head north on lower production

Prices of litchis have touched an all-time high due to lower production in Uttarakhand.

Rose-scented Dehra Duni litchis has zoomed to Rs 60-80 per kg, more than double in a span of one week.

Experts said the shortfall was due to the long dryspell. Recession coupled with falling production has already put a spanner in the exports of the summer fruit this season, officials said.

Director of horticulture department VP Nautiyal also admitted that the production of litchis had declined this season despite an increase in area by 1,000 hectares this year to 9,000 hectares in the state.

Experts said litchi production declined by 30 to 40 percent as against the last year’s production of 15,000 tonnes.

This is the second bad year for the production of litchis. Two years ago, the export production of litchi had touched 70-75 tonnes due to the efforts of the Agri Export Development Unit (AEDU).

Litchis are being exported to countries like New Zealand, Holland and UAE.

However, during the past two years, exports of litchis and other fruits have received a jolt especially after the AEDU became non-functional.