Green chili prices have jumped sharply across Dhaka’s kitchen markets over the past few days, with retailers raising prices by Tk 40 to Tk 60 per kilogram.
The kitchen spice was selling for Tk 260 to Tk 300 per kg in major retail markets on Monday, compared with Tk 200 to Tk 240 just five days ago.
A visit to Karwan Bazar, Tejgaon Colony Market and Moghbazar found significant price variations.
Retailers at Moghbazar and Tejgaon were selling green chilies at around Tk 300 per kg, while prices at Karwan Bazar where wholesale and retail trading take place side by side ranged between Tk 250 and Tk 280 per kg depending on quality.
The latest surge marks a dramatic increase from just a month ago, when green chilies were available at Tk 50 to Tk 70 per kg.
Traders attributed the steep increase to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in major producing areas, which they said has damaged crops and disrupted supplies to wholesale markets.
Kawser Uddin, a trader at Karwan Bazar, said supplies from key production areas including Manikganj has virtually stopped.
“We are now depending on shipments from Kushtia, Khulna, Jhenaidah and Rajshahi. Excessive rainfall in those regions has caused root rot and destroyed chili flowers, resulting in a severe shortage at production hubs,” he said.
He added that daily arrivals have fallen from around 10 truckloads to eight, creating a supply gap.
“Imports from India which usually help stabilise the market during shortages have not started yet,” Kawser said.
Traders believe prices may remain high until weather condition improves or imports resume.
Consumers, however, questioned the justification for the price hike alleging that some traders are using the rainy season as an excuse to create an artificial shortage and inflate prices.
Many shoppers urged the government to intensify market monitoring and take action against price manipulation to protect consumers from unjustified increases.
The latest spike in green chili prices has added to household expenses already strained by higher costs of other daily essentials, putting additional pressure on consumers.