806 tonnes of green chili imported in 3 days, yet prices hit Tk400 per kilogram in Jashore, Bangladesh

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 ...