Season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to United Kingdom by air route on May 24, 2021.
- The phyto-sanitary certification for exports of Shahi Litchi was issued from newly established certification facility at Patna.
- The fruit is being exported by Cira Enterprises and sourced from farmers in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The Litchi is being imported by H & J Veg, London.
- Because of short-shelf life of litchi, there is need to explore exports opportunities for the processed and value-added products.
GI Products from Bihar
- Shahi litchi was the fourth agricultural products to get GI certification from Bihar in 2018, afterJardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan. GI registration for Shahi Litchi is held with the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association of Bihar.
- Muzzafarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran, Begusarai districts and adjoining areas of Bihar have favorable climate for growing Shahi Litchi.
India second largest producer
- India is the second largest producer of litchi (Litchi chin) in the world, after China.
- The translucent, flavoured aril or edible flesh of the litchi is popular as a table fruit in India, while in China and Japan it is preferred in dried or canned form. Bihar tops in terms of production of litchi.
