(BSS) – With eleven more days left before the start of the Bangla month of Joishtho, also known as “Modhumash,” the juicy fruit litchi has started appearing in local markets, including those in Rajshahi city and its adjacent areas, on a limited scale. However, prices are beyond the purchasing capacity of the common people.

As these are early-season litchis, they have yet to develop their full flavour and are currently sweet and sour. Doctors are advising people not to eat litchis on an empty stomach, while parents are being urged to be especially cautious with children.

At the start of the season, Rahim Mia, a day labourer from the Talaimari area of the city, wanted to buy litchis for his family after seeing them in the market. But after hearing the price, he refrained from buying them. Earning Taka 600 a day, he said it is nearly impossible for him to afford litchis, as 100 pieces cost around Taka 500.

He said that buying litchis would make it difficult to manage daily household expenses. As a result, he returned home empty-handed.

With litchi prices rising in Rajshahi markets, the situation is not unique to Rahim Mia; many low- and middle-income people are facing similar difficulties.

At the very beginning of the season, litchi prices in Rajshahi have surged sharply. Prolonged drought, intense heat and low yields have reduced supply in the market, leading to the current situation.

A visit to Shaheb Bazar in the city showed that litchis are being sold at Taka 5 to 6 each, meaning 100 litchis cost around Taka 500 to 600, significantly higher than last year.

According to market sources, litchi prices are usually higher at the beginning of the season. However, due to adverse weather conditions this year, the high prices may persist for a longer period. Prices may decline once supply increases, depending largely on weather conditions.

Sellers said the prolonged lack of rain and intense heat have severely affected litchi production. In many cases, the fruits did not grow properly. In addition, due to the drought, many litchis cracked before ripening, reducing the volume of marketable produce.

Parvez, a resident of the city’s Shiroil area, shared a similar experience. He said the litchis are not yet fully ripe, but the prices are very high. He had intended to buy 100 litchis but instead purchased only Taka 50 worth.

Hyder Ali, a vendor at Shaheb Bazar, said, “This year, many litchis were damaged or cracked due to the drought. As a result, we are getting fewer litchis from the wholesale market. Where I used to sell about 5,000 litchis a day, I am now struggling to sell 2,000. Due to the high prices, many customers just ask the price and leave.”

Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension said climate change is increasing uncertainty in fruit production across various regions of the country. If drought and excessive heat continue in litchi-producing areas like Rajshahi, production may decline further in the future, which could have a long-term impact on market prices.

Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Deputy Director of the Rajshahi District Department of Agricultural Extension, said litchis are not yet fully mature and it may take another 15–20 days for full-scale marketing to begin.

As these are the first litchis of the season, sellers are charging slightly higher prices, but he expressed hope that prices would drop significantly once supply increases.