PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
According to local litchi contractors and vendors, this year’s early rainfall with heavier spells and gusty winds has led to limited availability of the local litchi in Dehradun’s markets. They expressed their worries that the early monsoon showers, coupled with frequent rains have severely damaged some percentage of the litchi crop, resulting in the quiet disappearance of the litchi from market stalls. Litchis from Ramnagar have been available in Dehradun but at significantly higher rates.
A litchi contractor from the city’s Dalanwala area, Dharmendra Prajapati said that the heavy rainfall has caused nearly 50 per cent loss in his litchi crop this year. He said that while the rains first began earlier this week, the expected yield from litchi trees in Dehradun would deform by June 10, rather than reaching full maturity by June 20 as it normally would. The rains experienced so far this year have nearly ruined his litchi crop, and as a result, it is anticipated that local litchis are currently and will remain scarce in the Dehradun market this season.
Another litchi vendor Rehman, operating in the Dharampur area stated that he has been offering high-quality litchis sourced from the Ramnagar area. He said that he has been selling the litchi at a price ranging from Rs 180 to 200 per kilogramme. The rising prices are attributed to damage to local litchi crops in Dehradun, leading to a reduced supply in the market. As a result, local vendors like him have been selling litchis, which are sourced from other districts, impacting their pricing. Rehman said that although some local litchis are available, their quantity is significantly lower than in past years, when they were priced at Rs 120 per kilogramme.
Other litchi sellers in the local market shared similar concerns about the limited availability of local litchis this season.
A customer, Heena said that she purchased a small quantity of litchis because the prices are quite high this season. She decided to buy them just to sample the seasonal fruit.
