About Litchi
Litchi has one of the shortest seasons of any Indian fruit, a few weeks in May and June, and Muzaffarpur's Shahi Litchi is the most famous name.
Where Litchi Is Grown in Bihar
The main litchi districts of Bihar are Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, East Champaran, Sitamarhi. Bihar grows rice and wheat across the fertile Gangetic plain, high-yield rabi maize in the Kosi and Purnea belt, and is famous for Muzaffarpur's Shahi Litchi and Mithila's makhana. It is also a big producer of potato, onion, vegetables, masoor and banana.
Season in Bihar
Mid-May to June. Exact arrival dates in Bihar depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Litchi Is Sold in Bihar
Bihar repealed its APMC Act in 2006, so most produce is sold to private traders, local haats and bazaars rather than regulated mandis. Paddy and wheat are bought by PACS (primary agricultural credit societies) for the state.
Key markets for Litchi in Bihar
Other major markets in Bihar
- Gulabbagh, PurneaMaizeAboutExplore
- Patna Bazar SamitiGrains, vegetablesAboutExplore
- DarbhangaMakhanaAboutExplore
State Agencies in Bihar
Litchi has no minimum support price, so it is bought almost entirely by private traders, processors and exporters. State marketing bodies regulate the markets and support farmer producer organisations.
- Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies CorporationGrain procurementAboutExplore
- PACS (primary agricultural credit societies)Village-level paddy and wheat buyingAboutExplore
- Makhana Board (announced 2025)Makhana sectorAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Litchi is sold fresh in bunches or loose in baskets lined with leaves, and processed into juice, squash, pulp and canned litchi. Because the fruit loses its red colour and moisture within two or three days, traders rush it from Muzaffarpur to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad by road, rail and air. Small volumes are flown to the Gulf and Europe.
Buyers want bright red, unblemished fruit of good size with a small seed; Shahi has a strong rose aroma and sells at a premium over China, which is larger and later. Pre-cooling, sulphur treatment for colour retention and reefer transport are slowly improving shelf life.
A heat wave or hailstorm in April–May causes fruit cracking and drop, which cuts supply; a good season can flood markets for a few weeks. Transport availability during the short harvest window matters more for litchi than almost any other fruit.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export litchi across India, including from Bihar. Tap a name for details.
- INI Farms Pvt LtdExporter of bananas, pomegranates and grapes to about 35 countriesAboutExplore
- Freshtrop Fruits LtdAhmedabad · listed; grapes and pomegranate exporterAboutExplore
- KB Exports Pvt LtdMumbai · fresh fruit and vegetable exporter (KayBee)AboutExplore
- Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company LtdNashik · grapes, fruits and processingAboutExplore
- APEDAExport registration and residue control (GrapeNet, AnarNet, MangoNet)AboutExplore
Research and Advice in Bihar
New varieties, crop advice and seed for litchi growers in Bihar come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Bihar Agricultural UniversitySabourAboutExplore
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural UniversityPusa, SamastipurAboutExplore
Litchi in Other States
West Bengal · Jharkhand · Uttarakhand · Punjab · Assam
Related: Litchi – all India · Bihar · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer