The import of green chili continues through the Hili land port, where it is currently being sold at a wholesale price of Tk180 per kg due to increased supply.
However, retailers are selling the chili for Tk230-240 which are being bought at Tk180 per kg.
This price difference has caused some discomfort among consumers despite the price drop.
Conversations with port traders and buyers revealed that imports resumed on Tuesday after a six-day holiday for Durga Puja. A total of 398 tons were imported on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This has led to a decrease in prices, as during the Puja holidays, the price of imported chili had risen to Tk300, while local chili was selling for Tk400.
A visit to the port showed that on Tuesday, imported green chili was selling for Tk200-220 per kg, while on Wednesday the price dropped to Tk180, with the same price continuing on Thursday. However, in Hili's retail market, chili is being sold for Tk230-240, which was Tk250 just two days ago.
Wholesale trader Sabuj Hossain said: “I came here from Bogra to buy due to the high prices of local green chili. The price has dropped since the import resumed after the Durga Puja break. On Tuesday, I bought at Tk200-220, and it further decreased to Tk180 on Wednesday, with the same price on Thursday.”
Importer Mustafa Hossain mentioned: “In areas where chili is usually produced, the plants were somewhat damaged due to excessive heat. Although they began to recover, heavy rainfall and flooding destroyed the crops, leading to a market shortage and rising prices.
"To control prices and normalize supply, we started importing from India. The closure in imports due to Durga Puja caused prices to rise again. Now that imports have resumed, prices have dropped to Tk180. However, prices in India are slightly higher than before, which is reflected in our market too. We have to pay over Tk35 in duties per kg for imports; if the government waives this, prices could fall even more," he added.
Chili vendor Biplob Sheikh in Hili market said: “Supply had been low for some time, and with the limited availability of imported chili, prices had gone up. Now that imports have started, prices are beginning to fall. Today we are selling at Tk230-240, but there is no local green chili available in the market.”
Abdul Khalek, a buyer at the Hili market, stated: “The green chili that was selling for Tk220-240 had shot up to Tk300-400 due to the halt in imports. Many people could not afford to buy chili at those prices. Now that imports have started again, prices are coming down. Today it is being sold for Tk230-240, which brings some relief to the market.”
SM Jobayer, the personal assistant to the managing director of Hili land port, said: “Import of chili resumed on Tuesday after a six-day break. A total of 398 tons were imported on Tuesday and Wednesday, and imports are ongoing on Thursday as well. Since this is a perishable item, arrangements for rapid unloading have been made.”