Chilli price drops, but eggs, veg get costlier 

 

Green chilli prices have declined slightly in the capital’s retail markets compared to last week. However, prices of vegetables, eggs and other essential commodities remain high, leaving consumers with little relief despite the drop in chilli prices. A visit to several markets in the capital on Friday found that green chillies, which had risen to Tk 400 per kilogram last week, are now selling for Tk 280�"320 per kg.

Retail and wholesale traders said prices started falling after imports of green chillies from India resumed. As a result, the retail price of green chillies in Dhaka has dropped by Tk 80�"120 per kg within a week. Suman Howlader, a trader at Karwan Bazar, said supplies had increased following the arrival of imported chillies from India, leading to the decline in prices. 

“However, flooding in different parts of the country has disrupted the supply of many locally produced vegetables and pushed up wholesale prices. As a result, retail prices of other essentials cannot be reduced,” he said.

Md Rafiqul Islam, a private-sector employee who was shopping at the same market, said the fall in chilli prices was welcome but offered little overall relief. "Prices of eggs, vegetables and other essentials are still high. Even if the prices of one or two items decline, it has hardly any impact on the overall cost of shopping," he said.

Meanwhile, farm eggs have become more expensive for the second consecutive week. Two weeks ago, a dozen brown eggs were selling at Tk 140 at neighbourhood shops. The price rose to Tk 150 last week and reached as high as Tk 160 per dozen by the end of this week. However, eggs are available for around Tk 150 per dozen at major markets.

Some vegetables have also become slightly cheaper. Long eggplants, which were selling for Tk 120 per kg last week, are now priced at Tk 80-100, depending on quality and market. Round eggplants, however, remain expensive at around Tk 150 per kg.

Cucumber prices have also declined slightly to Tk 60-80 per kg. Green papaya remains unchanged at Tk 35-40 per kg. Ridge gourd, sponge gourd and snake gourd are selling for Tk 80-100 per kg, depending on the market.

Meanwhile, taro stems are selling for Tk 80-100 per kg, taro roots for Tk 70-80, pointed gourd for Tk 60-80 and bitter gourd for Tk 90-120 per kg.

Each ash gourd is selling for Tk 50-70, while local bottle gourds are priced at Tk 70-90 apiece.

Onion prices also remain high, with the commodity selling at around Tk 60 per kg. Potato prices remain unchanged at Tk 30 per kg.