Green chillies worth 500 taka fall below 100 after Indian trucks enter

Staff Correspondent

The price of green chillies has suddenly dropped in the capital’s markets. Last week, they were selling for up to Tk 500 per kg, but on Friday morning, October 11, the price dropped to Tk 80 to 90 in most markets.

A visit to the raw markets of Mohammadpur, Town Hall, Rayerbazar, Kawranbazar and Hatirpul has shown that there has been a huge relief in the chilli market in just one day. Vendors say that the supply has increased as trucks have started entering from India.

Rafiqul Islam, a trader at Mohammadpur Rawal Bazaar, said, “A week ago, I sold 450-500 taka per kg of chili. This morning I got it in wholesale for 60 taka. I am selling it for 80 taka. Now the pressure in the market has reduced.”

Lipi Akhter, a buyer at Rayerbazar Raw Market, said, “Earlier, I was afraid to buy one kilogram of chili. Today, I bought two kilograms for Tk 170. I have felt some relief in the cooking market due to the reduction in prices.”

Jasim Uddin, a wholesale trader in Kawran Bazar, said, “A few trucks of chillies are arriving from India every day. The price suddenly increased as the border was closed during the Puja. Now there is adequate supply in the market.”

A vendor at Hatirpul Bazaar said, “The chillies in the fields were destroyed due to heavy rains in the country. There was a shortage in supply. Now the weather is good, new chillies are growing, and they are also coming from India—all of this has reduced the price.”

Several officials related to the market said that the supply in the market had decreased due to the closure of the import of raw chili at Banglabandha and Benapole land ports during the Puja holidays. The prices have quickly stabilized since the opening of the border last Thursday.

Market observations show that green chillies are being sold at Tk 80 to 90 per kg in Mohammadpur, Town Hall, Rayerbazar, Kawranbazar and Hatirpul. A week ago, the price in these markets was Tk 450 to 500.

Sellers are hoping that if the supply of Indian goods continues, prices may fall further and stabilize around 60 taka.