Green chilli prices rise again amid import, monitoring

The price of green chilli increased again on Tuesday after a notable downtrend just a day before despite a rise in import as well as in market observation.

The hot spice retailed at Tk 300-400 on Monday, marking a Tk 20-100 hike per kg in a single day.

Onion price also showed a hike of Tk 10 a kg during the period, thus battering the commoners further.

Green chilli of both imported and local varieties retailed at Tk 320-400 a kg at kitchen markets and elsewhere in Dhaka city.

Some consumers claimed over phone that retailers in residential areas were charging them even Tk 500-600 a kg for chilli amid a distinct lack of strong vigilance.

However, prices at Karwanbazar, Shyambazar and other wholesale outlets along Beribandh Road also increased by Tk 50-60 a kg as sold at Tk 200-300 on Tuesday.

Market volatility continues despite the fact that a good chunk of chilli has been imported in the past two days.

Muhammad Liakat Hossain Khan, deputy director of plant quarantine wing (import) of agriculture ministry, said 339 tonnes of chilli have been imported since June 26.

A total of 230 tonnes entered the country in just 48 hours (July 02 morning to the July 04 morning).

As many as 139 companies have so far been got permission to bring 48,380 tonnes of green chilli from a neighbouring country, he told the FE.

Mr Khan said import volume would increase further in a day or two as vehicles have now been available after the Eid-ul-Azha vacation.

On Tuesday, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) raided 44 markets under 41 districts and fined 118 traders and organisations Tk 0.621 million for irregularities.

The DNCRP claimed the market price of chilli remained static and the supply was good on the day, saying that its price would come down further gradually.

Much to the chagrin of consumers, price of local onion also rose to Tk 80-90 a kg and that of the imported one to Tk 50-60 a kg, marking a Tk 10-15 hike.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) vice-president SM Nazer Hossain said wrongdoers should be punished like  imprisonment instead of slapping financial penalties only.

The imposition of financial penalties would not just change the habit of traders, he commented.

Mr Hossain suggested that both agriculture and commerce ministries disclose the costs of imported chilli on a daily basis and also fix maximum wholesale and retail prices of chilli.

Heightened monitoring aside, experts suggested that local production in summer season be increased by incentivising farmers to meet at least 80 per cent of demand locally.

Data available with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics shows the country produced 0.624-million tonnes of green chilli in 2022.

Of them, 0.496-million tonnes were grown in winter and only 0.128-million tonnes in summer.

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