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TL;DR:
- Bangladesh imported 593 tonnes of green chillies from India through Benapole Land Port in two days to address soaring local prices.
- The import cost was Tk 60 per kg, including duties, with 28 importers bringing in chillies worth Tk 3.34 crore.
- Domestic green chilli prices have reached up to Tk 800-1,000 per kg due to supply shortages and weather-related issues.
- The government is monitoring the situation and considering action against potential price-inflating syndicates.
Bangladesh has imported a substantial quantity of green chillies from India through Benapole Land Port in Jashore, as local markets grapple with skyrocketing prices. Over the past two days, a total of 593 tonnes of green chillies entered the country, with 581.97 tonnes imported on Monday and an additional 10.956 tonnes on Tuesday evening.
Ravindra Singh, deputy commissioner of Benapole Customs House, confirmed these import figures. The influx of imported chillies comes at a crucial time when domestic prices have reached unprecedented levels, with some areas reporting retail prices as high as Tk 800-1,000 per kilogram.
According to customs sources, 28 Bangladeshi importers brought in the green chillies from India at a cost of Tk 3.34 crore. The import price was set at Tk 60,000 per tonne, with an additional import duty of Tk 36,000, resulting in a total import cost of Tk 60 per kilogram. Importers have already taken delivery of their consignments after paying the necessary customs duties.
The recent price surge in green chillies has been attributed to various factors, including supply shortages during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, heavy rains, and flooding in key vegetable-growing regions. Traders in Chattogram reported that vegetable prices have increased by 70 to 100 percent in just three days due to these issues.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has warned of potential action against syndicates involved in artificially inflating commodity prices. He stated, “We are trying so that no syndicate can work. Syndicates of traders have been active for years. As a result, it is taking time but we are trying.”
The import of green chillies is expected to help stabilize the market and provide some relief to consumers who have been struggling with the high prices. However, it remains to be seen how quickly and effectively this imported supply will impact retail prices across the country.
As the situation continues to develop, consumers and policymakers alike will be closely monitoring the green chilli market, hoping for a return to more affordable prices in the coming days.
Source: The Daily Star
