After an unusual hike in July and subsequent return to normalcy, green chilli prices have once again started to rise, reaching Tk250 per kg on Friday. This indicates an increase of Tk100 to Tk120 per kilogram in just three days.
Prices of onions, fish, and certain vegetables have also displayed upward trends, while egg prices have decreased over the past week.
The surge in chilli and onion prices is attributed to a decrease in imports and a reduction in local supply due to heavy rain, according to traders of various kitchen markets.
Vendors purchased green chilli for Tk1,120 per palla (five kilograms) at the Beribadh wholesale market on Friday morning, compared to Tk750 on Wednesday and Tk600 the previous Monday.
Onion prices had increased by Tk5 to Tk7 per kg at the wholesale level, which was reflected in retail prices.
Local onions are being sold at Tk85-90 per kilogram and Indian onions at Tk70.
Reports from various news outlets suggest that chilli fields in various areas, including Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Pabna, Rajshahi, Kushtia, Jamalpur, and others, have been severely affected by continuous rain and on top of that, imports of both onions and green chilli have decreased in the last week, pushing up the price.
Meanwhile, egg prices continued to decline by Tk5-Tk8 per dozen in the past week. The government had set the maximum retail price of eggs at Tk144 per dozen or Tk12 per piece two weeks ago.
However, brown farm eggs were being retailed at Tk145-150 per dozen, and white eggs at Tk140-144 per dozen on Friday.