Mahidul Islam Ripon, Dinajpur

With the start of import of raw chili from India, there is a hint of relief in the domestic market. In just one day, the price of domestic raw chili has decreased by Tk 50 per kg in Hili Bazar of Dinajpur.

Relief has returned to buyers who were fed up with high prices, and traders expect that if imports of Indian chili peppers continue, prices will further decrease to a tolerable level in the next few days.

On Tuesday (August 4), a visit to Hili Bazaar showed that domestic green chilies, which were sold at Tk 200 per kg on Monday, were being sold at Tk 150 on Tuesday. Similarly, there was a major decline in prices in the wholesale market.

Wholesale trader Sirajul Islam said that they are currently buying green chillies from farmers at Tk 140 per kg and selling them at Tk 150 per kg. The entry of Indian green chillies into the market has reduced the pressure on domestic chillies. He believes that the price will further decrease as the supply increases.

Retailer Tarek Hossain said that the news of the arrival of Indian green chilies has had a positive impact on the market. The drop in wholesale prices has made it possible to sell at a lower price at the retail level as well.

Saidul, who came to the market to shop, said, "The green chilies I bought yesterday for 200 taka per kg, I got them today for 150 taka. This is relief news for the common people as it has decreased by 50 taka in a day."

Another buyer, Entaz Sheikh, said that due to the high price, we had to buy less green chilies than needed. Now that the price has started to come down, shopping is going on normally.

Housewife Amena Bewa said, "Green chilies are essential in everyday cooking. The high prices of the past few days had thrown the family's budget into disarray. Now that the prices have started to come down, there is some relief."

Sahbul Islam, an importer at Hili Land Port, said that competition in the market has increased due to the import of raw chilies from India. Due to this, the price of domestic raw chilies has started to fall rapidly. If sufficient imports continue, the market will become more stable in the coming days.

According to sources at the Hili Land Port, the government has allowed imports from India to control the abnormal increase in the price of raw chili in the domestic market. In continuation of this, a total of 29 metric tons 440 kg of Indian raw chili arrived in the country through the Hili Land Port on Monday. Those concerned believe that if the imports continue, the supply will increase, stability will return to the market and the price of raw chili will further decrease and become within the reach of the common people.