A month ago, a kilogram of good-quality green chilies could be bought for 100 to 120 taka. That price has now crossed 200 taka, and in some Dhaka markets a kilogram is selling for as much as 280 taka.
Green chili prices showed this picture on Tuesday at the capital’s Krishi Market and Town Hall Market, and prices were also high at the Ashkona Hajj Camp market in Uttara.
The rise is mainly due to continuous rain. Heavy rain and flooding about a week and a half ago cut vegetable supplies, pushing up the price of green chilies along with other vegetables. Waterlogged fields in various areas spoiled many vegetables, so supply has not recovered. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast another five straight days of rain nationwide.
Sellers said prices of nearly all vegetables have risen, with green chilies doubling or more. Prices vary by market: at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, green chilies sold at 200 to 220 taka a kg on Tuesday; at Town Hall Market, 250 to 280 taka; at Karwan Bazar, slightly less, with good-quality chilies at 200 taka and ordinary-quality around 160 taka.
Zakir Hossain, who went to buy vegetables at the Ashkona Hajj Camp market, bought 250 grams of green chilies for 60 taka — a rate of 240 taka a kg. “Prices seem to rise every day because of the rain,” he said. “A week ago I bought 250 grams for 40 taka; today it cost 60.”
Onion prices have also risen by 5 taka a kg, selling at 45 to 50 taka on Tuesday against 35 to 40 taka a week earlier.
Al-Nahiyan, a vegetable seller at Mohammadpur Town Hall Market, said less green chili is reaching the wholesale market because of the rain while demand is high, pushing prices up. Not only chilies but almost all vegetable prices have risen, with only three or four kinds now available under 100 taka, he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report