In the wake of Eid festivities last week, green chili prices soared to a record Tk1,000 per kg. Though swift import and different market monitoring measures managed these rates slightly, there was a resurgence as the week drew to a close.
Amid market raids by consumer rights agencies in several districts and imports through the land ports, green chilis were retailed at Tk550 per kg on Thursday in Dhaka. Meanwhile, tomato prices spiked to Tk250-260 per kg, potato to Tk50, and onion to Tk90.
Green chili prices reached unprecedented levels of volatility last week, with prices soaring to Tk500-1000 per kg between June 30 and July 2. Prices then moderated to Tk280-300 on July 3, only to rise again to Tk400-500 per kg on July 4. As of July 6, the retail price in Dhaka city stood at Tk400-550 per kg, according to kitchen market sources.
Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, secretary of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said the commerce ministry and the agriculture ministry should jointly set prices of some essential items immediately to prevent market volatility.
[ Tk100 = €0.84 ]
Source: thefinancialexpress.com.bd