Though the price of green chilli fell slightly with imports, the price has become volatile again within a few days.
If the price decreases one day, it increases another day, both buyers and retailers complained.
Retailers are blaming wholesalers for these unstable prices of the green chillies at the market.
In addition to green chilies, the price of potatoes is also high in the market. Currently, potatoes are being sold in the retail market at Tk45 per kg; which was sold at the rate of Tk40 a kg even a few days ago.
The price was observed after visiting several kitchen markets at Mirpur 1, 2 and Kawran Bazar on Friday.
Iqbal, a vegetable vendor of Mirpur-2, said that he is selling local green chillies at a price of Tk60 (250grams) and Tk240 per kg.
“I did not bring Indian green chillies today, as it is expensive,” he said.
Last Wednesday, also at Mirpur-1, green chillies were sold at Tk400 to Tk480 per kg, a Tk160 drop.
Retailers say they do not know when and how prices are rising and falling.
A buyer who came to the market said: "A strange situation is going on in the market…One price in the morning and another price at night…”
The price of potato has also started increasing in the market for a few days.
Potatoes are being sold at the rate of Tk45 per kg by retailers in raw markets and local areas. Bogra red potatoes are being sold at Tk55 per kg in some shops in the market.
Belal, a potato seller, said: "I bought at a price of Tk38 per kg, it cost Tk2 per kg to bring. Then we select fresh potatoes. In the end, we sell fresh and good potatoes at Tk45 per kg.”
Another vegetable vendor said: "Since Eid, the price of potatoes has increased. So we have to sell at a higher price.”
Potatoes are being sold at Tk33 to Tk35 per kg in Mirpur-1 potato wholesale market and in Kawranbazar it is selling at Tk36-37 per kg.
Habib, a potato wholesaler in Mirpur-1 kitchen market, said: “I am selling potatoes at Tk33 to Tk35 per kg. The price depends on size and quality.”
He brought potatoes from Rajshahi and Munshiganj. “Retailers add their transportation costs and then fix their prices,” Habib said.
Kawran bazar potato wholesaler Badal said: "This time, due to excessive heat in Munshiganj, the production of potatoes has decreased. That's why the price has also increased now.”
He said that he is selling potatoes at Tk36 to 37 kg per bag. The weight of each sack is 65.Besides, if someone buys 5kg, then the price is Tk40 per kg.
A buyer who came to the market said in frustration: “What else is left to increase the price of goods? After green chillies, onions, ginger, garlic, now the price of potatoes is also in the price hike list.”
