In a bid to combat the alarming surge in prices, the government has granted approval for the import of green chillies and tomatoes. The Ministry of Agriculture issued the import permit on Monday (26 June), allowing the importation of 11,600 tonnes of green chillies and 55,600 tonnes of tomatoes on the very first day.
While the cost of green chillies typically rises during heavy rainfall, this time the prices skyrocketed despite normal weather conditions. Consumers are now paying Tk 300-400 per kilogram, depending on the location, compared to the usual price of around Tk 100.
The demand for tomatoes, previously considered a winter vegetable in Bangladesh, has now increased significantly throughout the year. Online grocery store Chaldal has been selling green chillies at approximately Tk 360 per kilogram and tomatoes at around Tk 140.
Liakat Hossain Khan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, stated that the import permit has been granted for a three-month period this year, whereas last year, imports were permitted for six months. While the reason behind the surge in green chilli prices remains unclear, Khan expressed hope that the situation would normalize once the imports commence, stating, “If necessary, we will halt the imports.”
KJM Abdul Awal, a director of the department, mentioned that Bangladesh has yet to achieve successful year-round cultivation of tomatoes, but efforts are currently underway to address this issue.
The authorization of vegetable imports aims to alleviate the burden on consumers caused by exorbitant prices. The government’s swift response underscores its commitment to ensuring essential commodities remain accessible and affordable for the general public.
