Green chilli prices take a plunge in Hili

The price of green chilli has taken a fall of Tk 60 in Dinajpur’s Hili as supply increases.

According to the traders, green chilli was being sold at Tk 140 per kg in the retail market due to a low supply a few weeks ago. The price went down to Tk 80 on Wednesday as supply increased.

A buyer at the Hili port market, Motaleb Ali said he had hardly bought any green chilli in the last few weeks due to its exorbitant price. “I bought 800 grams of green chilli today. As it is an essential part of our traditional dishes, we cannot do without it.”

Another buyer Mojibur Rahman said dried red chilli was being used in their household as a substitute for green chilli. “Since the prices are low now, I bought 2 kg so that we can refrigerate and use it. There is no guarantee that the prices will not rise again.”

Mokarm Hossain, a retail vegetable seller in Hili port market, said, “The price of vegetables, including green chillies, depends on the supply. Three weeks ago I bought green chilli at a wholesale rate of Tk 130 per kg and sold it at Tk 140 per kg.”

He added that currently they are buying green chilli at a wholesale rate of Tk 70 per kg and selling for Tk 80 per kg.

Trader Md Ferdous Rahman said that green chilli, along with other vegetables come from the neighbouring upazilas. The price depends on the supply of these products from other places.

“Three weeks ago I bought green chilli for Tk 120 from the farmers and sold them at a wholesale price of Tk 130. Currently, I am buying it for Tk 60-65 and selling it at a wholesale rate of Tk 70,” he said.

Ferdous further added that the import of green chilli from India is currently paused. The prices will go down further when importing starts again.

Farmers Abu Taher and Mokhles Hossain said that they are currently selling their harvest for Tk 60-65 per kg. They are satisfied with the price.