Green chilli shows no sign of cooling off in Bangladesh

In a sizzling turn of events, green chilli prices soared to a record Tk1,000 per kg in the wake of Eid festivities last week. Though swift import and different market monitoring measures managed to temper the fiery rates slightly, the spice witnessed a resurgence as the week drew to a close. Amid market raids by consumer rights agencies in several districts and imports through the land ports, green chillis were retailed at Tk550 per kg on Thursday in Dhaka. Meanwhile, tomato prices spiked to Tk 250-260 per kg, potato to Tk 50 and onion to Tk 90. Green chilli prices reached unprecedented levels of volatility last week, with prices soaring to Tk 500-1000 per kg between June 30 and July 2. Prices then moderated to Tk 280-300 on July 3, only to rise again to Tk 400-500 per kg on July 4. As of July 6, the retail price in Dhaka city stood at Tk 400-550 per kg, according to kitchen market sources. The Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection (DNCRP) conducted simultaneous ...