The price of green chilies has skyrocketed in Ghorashal Bazaar of Palash Upazila, Narsingdi, leaving consumers in shock. On Friday afternoon, green chilies were being sold at Tk 600 per kilogram, a sharp rise from Tk 200 just the previous day.
Buyers expressed frustration, noting that only a few days ago, the price of green chilies ranged between Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg. The sudden surge has severely impacted middle- and lower-income families.
Sohel Mia, a vendor at Ghorashal Bazaar, attributed the spike to ongoing heavy rainfall across different regions of the country. "Continuous rain has disrupted chili production and caused crop damage, leading to supply shortages. We are purchasing at high prices, so we have no choice but to sell at high prices," he explained.
However, consumers like Yabur Rahman believe otherwise. He accused some unscrupulous traders of creating an artificial crisis. "Using rain as an excuse to push prices this high is unacceptable. This seems like deliberate market manipulation," he stated.
Other shoppers echoed similar concerns and urged the government to intervene immediately. They demanded strict market monitoring and enforcement measures to prevent exploitation. "If essential items like green chili continue to rise this way, the kitchens of ordinary people will be set on fire," one consumer said metaphorically.
Even the Secretary of Ghorashal Bazaar Committee, Abul Kashem Mia, expressed surprise upon hearing the news. "I will discuss the matter with the traders and take necessary steps to stabilize the price of green chilies," he assured.
As prices of essential commodities continue to rise, public concern grows, with many calling for immediate action to protect consumer rights and ensure food affordability.
