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Local traders have started importing green chilli from India after the commerce ministry granted permission in this regard in a bid to bring down the skyrocketing prices of the widely used spice in Bangladesh.
Green chilly prices rose four times to around Tk 200 per kilogramme in different markets across Bangladesh amid a sudden supply shortage.
Prices of the popular vegetable was Tk 40-Tk 60 per kilogramme a week ago in Dhaka, data from the Department of Agricultural Marketing showed.
Unfavourable weather and problems in transportation due to lockdown are blamed for the spiralling prices of green chilli.
Due to a lack of rain, the yield of chilli has decreased by more than half in Lalmonirhat, reports our correspondent from the northwest district.
Md Asadullah, director general of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said green chilli is mainly produced in the winter season. Summer season accounts for around one-fourth of the total green chilli produced in a year, data by DAE showed.
Farmers produced 3.45 lakh tonnes of green chilli in fiscal 2019-20 and winter chilli was three-fourth of the total production, according to the DAE.
Officials said the government earlier also allowed the import of the vegetable to contain rising prices.
Yesterday, local company JK Enterprise imported two trucks of green chilli from India through Bhumra Land Port, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.
Some 12 green chilli-laden trucks are now waiting to enter Bangladesh from India through different land ports, the statement said.
Besides, three importing companies are bringing in some 650 tonnes of green chilli from the neighbouring nation through Sonamasjid Land Port.
Of this amount, BH Trading and Company will import 150 tonnes, Golden Enterprise 200 tonnes and Sazzad Enterprises 300 tonnes.
The shipments are expected to reach Bangladesh today, it added.
Traders and farmers said the domestic production of green chilli has fallen to some extent because of lower rainfall in the chilli growing districts in northern and southern parts of the country.
(TDS)
