Green Chilli Reaches Tk400 A Kg, Veg Prices Stay High

Green chilli prices have surged to Tk400 per kilogram in Dhaka's retail markets, marking the sharpest increase among essential food items and adding further pressure on household budgets. Prices of onions, eggs and fish have also risen, while most vegetables continue to sell at high rates.

A visit to New Market, Karwan Bazar and Hatirpool markets in the capital today found green chilli retailing at Tk400 per kg. Vendors were selling 100 grams for Tk40 and 250 grams for Tk100, although buyers purchasing larger quantities were receiving small discounts.

Abdul Karim, a vegetable trader at New Market, said green chilli prices had increased by around Tk100 per kg within a week.

"Last week I sold green chilli for Tk280 to Tk300 per kg. The week before that, it was Tk180 to Tk200," he said.

Onion prices also continued to rise. Locally produced onions, which sold for Tk40-45 per kg about two weeks ago, were retailing at Tk55-65 per kg.

Mohammad Sohel, an onion trader at New Market, attributed the increase to higher wholesale prices.

"We previously sold this variety for around Tk40 per kg, but now we have to charge Tk60. Good-quality Pabna onions are selling for as much as Tk65 per kg," he said.

Most vegetables also remained expensive despite slight declines in the prices of a few items.

Long brinjal was selling for Tk120-150 per kg, round black brinjal for Tk180 and white brinjal for Tk140. Bitter gourd was priced at Tk120-140 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk110-130, snake gourd at Tk90-100 and taro corms at Tk80-100 per kg.

Meanwhile, sponge gourd and pointed gourd were selling for Tk60-80 per kg.

Another vegetable trader, Mohammad Rashed, said prices of a few vegetables had fallen slightly, but brinjal and several other items had become more expensive over the past week.

The continued rise in prices of vegetables and other essentials has added to consumers' concerns over the cost of living, with many shoppers saying they are being forced to reduce purchases or switch to cheaper alternatives.