Price of green chilli tops Tk 200 per kg

The price of green chilli has surged to Tk 200-220 per kg in Dhaka city kitchen markets, doubling in just 10 days.

Ten days ago, green chilli was sold at Tk 80-100 per kg in Mogbazar and Karwan Bazar markets, according to traders.

Last year, during Eid-ul-Adha, green chilli prices soared to Tk 700 per kg. This time, the price hike has occurred a month before the festival.

A five-year market analysis indicates that green chilli supply typically decreases around this time each year due to rain damaging the plants.

When such shortages happen, Bangladesh usually imports green chilli from India and, occasionally, Myanmar.

However, due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, Bangladesh will have to totally depend on India for these imports.

Farmers and traders say that the quality of green chilli available now is poor, with summer plants thinning and the harvest not as bountiful as in previous years.

Sources at the Plant Quarantine Wing of Agriculture Extension confirmed that no import permits for green chilli have been issued yet.

However, officials concerned said that they are now reviewing the market price and supply of green chilli and will soon decide whether to import green chilli or not after taking into account the market review.