806 tonnes of green chilli imported in 3 days, yet prices hit Tk400/kg in Jashore

Despite importing 806 tonnes of green chillies in three days, the price of the spice continues to rise, reaching Tk350-400 per kg in all local retail markets of Jashore. Traders attribute this increase to the port being closed for five consecutive days during Durga Puja.

Just a week ago, green chillies imported from India were sold in the retail markets of Jashore at Tk80-100 per kg, but the price has now spiked to nearly Tk400 per kg.

"Even a week ago, I bought chillies for Tk90 per kg. Today, I see it's Tk350. How can we continue like this?" asked Jamal Hossain, a buyer at Benapole Checkpost Market today (16 October). 

Another buyer, Rafiqul Alam, said, "As we live near the Benapole land port area, we hear and see that a lot of green chillies are being imported here. Ideally, prices should be below Tk100, but we still have to pay Tk350-400 per kg."

Vegetable seller Shankar Kumar explained that heavy rainfall has destroyed local chilli plants, combined with supply shortages from the puja holidays. 

Retailers claim wholesale prices have not dropped despite the increased imports, suggesting wholesalers stockpiled goods anticipating price increases during the port closure. 

Rashed Morol, a retail businessman, stated, "Prices for all vegetables and onions are sky-high. Big businessmen stockpiled green chillies and onions, hoping for higher prices. Once imports normalise, prices should decrease."

Meanwhile, over the past three days, the import of green chillies at this port has increased significantly. On Monday, 581.97 tonnes of green chillies were imported in 50 trucks. By Tuesday evening, another 144 tonnes were imported. 

The cost of importing these chillies, including customs duties, ranged from Tk96-100 per kg, yet in Jessore's main market, they are selling for Tk380-400 per kg. 

Rafiqul Islam Royal, an importer of onions and green chillies at Benapole port, stated, "There's not much decrease in onion prices, so now I'm importing green chillies. The current import of green chillies is very high. The issue of the price increase should be resolved soon. Over the past two days, 62 trucks of green chillies have been imported through this port."

Engr Md Aslam Sheikh, deputy director of the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP) in Jashore, stated that they are monitoring prices and conducting operations based on complaints. 

"We are checking receipts and price lists for excessive pricing and will verify any manipulation in chilli prices," he added.