Govt permits traders to import green chilli as price skyrockets

The government has permitted traders to import green chilli from India as the price of the essential commodity has skyrocketed in the local market.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) started giving import permits (IP) of chilli on Sunday after consulting with the ministry concerned, said a source of the Plant quarantine wing of DAE.

Chilli import from India remained suspended for several months.

While visiting different kitchen markets at Mirpur 12, 11, Shewrapara and Mohammadpur on Sunday, it was seen that green chillies were sold at Tk 260-280 per kg while it was sold at Tk 300 per kg at local shops.

The price of green chilli has started to increase within a couple of days. Its price has almost doubled and it was selling at Tk 220-250 per kg on Friday. A week ago, it was sold at Tk 120-150 per kg.

Traders have attributed the price surge to the severe heatwave in various parts of the country which have severely disrupted the production of green chilli.