Green chilli imports begin thru Benapole to cool prices

 
JASHORE, Aug 6: Bangladesh has started importing green chillies from India through the Benapole Land Port as authorities seek to ease soaring prices triggered by heavy rainfall and supply disruptions.

The first consignment, comprising 9.2 tonnes of green chillies, entered the country on Monday aboard an Indian truck through the Benapole Land Port.

After completing customs and port formalities, the shipment was dispatched to Dhaka in the evening. The consignment was imported by Shimu Enterprise, while C&F agent Shimu Shipping Lines handled the customs clearance process.

Shamim Hossain, Traffic Director of Benapole Land Port, said the truck carrying the chillies was cleared on a priority basis immediately after arriving at the port.

"Several more trucks loaded with green chillies are waiting across the border to enter Bangladesh," he said.

Importer Shahajan said the total import cost stood at around Tk 135 per kilogram, including duties and other expenses.

"We will sell the chillies in the market with only a small profit margin. If imports increase, prices are expected to come down," he said.

However, he alleged that importers were facing higher costs due to customs-related hassles and delays in clearing consignments, increasing the overall cost of imports and reducing profitability.

Meanwhile, traders at Benapole's wholesale vegetable market said green chillies were selling for around Tk 300 to Tk 400 per kilogram on Monday, down from recent highs.

They expressed hope that increased imports would help bring prices down further in the coming days.