Green chili prices have once again shot up, crossing Tk 300 per kg in the capital’s kitchen markets.

On Thursday, a kilogram of green chili was sold for around Tk 320 at retail, forcing buyers to settle for smaller quantities. Many consumers purchased 250 grams, costing Tk 75–80.

Just five days ago, green chili was selling for Tk 200–220 per kg, meaning the price has risen by Tk 100–120 in less than a week. Earlier in mid-August, chili prices had also crossed Tk 300 per kg.

During visits to Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Town Hall Bazar, Kolmilata Bazar near Bijoy Sarani and Karwan Bazar on Thursday, UNB correspondents found that green chili was not available below Tk 320 per kg. Higher-quality chilies were selling at even higher rates.

Traders attributed the price hike to heavy rainfall and reduced imports from India due to the Durga Puja holidays, coupled with lower domestic supply.

Vegetable prices also soaring

Not only green chili, prices of almost all vegetables have gone up in the past week, increasing by Tk 20–30 per kg on average. Fish, chicken, lentils and rice are also maintaining high prices in the market.

Currently, tomatoes are selling for Tk 120–150 per kg, up from around Tk 100 a week ago. Eggplants are priced at Tk 120–140 per kg, while striped eggplants are being sold for over Tk 220.

Other vegetables such as pointed gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, bottle gourd are priced at Tk 70–80 per kg. Bitter gourd, ladies’ finger, sponge gourd and yardlong beans are being sold at Tk 80–100 per kg. Traders said hardly any vegetable is available below Tk 70–80 now.

There are almost no locally produced chilies or tomatoes in the market right now. Most are import-dependent. With reduced imports during the Puja holidays and local supply disrupted by rain, prices have soared,” said Abbas Akanda, a vegetable trader at Krishi Market.

There seems to be no check on vegetable prices. Buying three to four types of vegetables now costs more than Tk 400,” said Syed Huda, a resident of Mohammadpur and an employee of a private firm.