Green chilli prices have surged to as high as Tk 450 per kilogram in Dhaka, driven by persistent rainfall and a temporary suspension of imports from India during the Durga Puja festival.

A market visit on Saturday (October 4), revealed that green chillies were selling between Tk 400 and Tk 450 a kilo in the capital’s Taltola and Shewrapara markets — a sharp increase of about Tk 250 per kilo compared to recent days.

Vendors attributed the spike to limited supply. “In the wholesale market, chillies are selling for Tk 1,600 to Tk 1,700 per maund, excluding transport costs. 

On regular days I bring in one to two maunds, but today I managed only a kilo,” said Aminul, a vegetable trader at Taltola, adding that he may stop selling chillies if prices do not ease soon.

Shahjahan Mia, a trader at Shewrapara, said prices had jumped by nearly Tk 300 in just three days. “Three days ago, I sold chillies for Tk 160–200 a kilo. Yesterday it was Tk 400, and today the wholesale rate itself has gone up another Tk 100–150. Selling at a profit is becoming impossible,” he said.

Some vendors have already scaled back purchases from wholesalers, while others have stopped selling chillies altogether. The sudden surge has also triggered anger among customers. Shoppers complained that such sharp increases within a week are unacceptable and urged stronger government monitoring of the market.

Trade through Hili land port — a key entry point for Indian imports — has been suspended for eight days due to the Hindu festival of Durga Puja. Import and export activities are set to resume on Sunday, which traders believe may help stabilize supplies and bring down prices.

SMS/