Green chilli prices in Naogaon have nearly tripled within a fortnight due to supply shortages caused by heavy rainfall.
The kitchen staple, which previously sold for Tk80-90 per kg, is now being traded at Tk230-250 per kg in wholesale markets and Tk280-300 per kg in retail markets.
Traders and officials attributed the sharp increase to reduced production following incessant monsoon rains.
According to the Naogaon district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), around 1,000 hectares were brought under green chilli cultivation this season with Deshi, Shada and Akashy varieties. Continuous rainfall has damaged about 10 hectares of fields, particularly in low-lying areas affected by waterlogging.
The price has increased the value of transactions at key markets. At Kirtipur haat in Naogaon Sadar, green chilli trade now amounts to around Tk10-12 lakh on each market day.
At Mominpur haat in Mahadevpur upazila, the district’s largest wholesale market, daily transactions have reached Tk20-22 lakh. The market supplies chillies to Rajshahi, Bogura, Natore, Joypurhat and Chattogram.
Shariful Islam, a wholesale trader, said there is strong demand for the Shada variety in Chattogram, but the current supply shortage has forced traders to buy at much higher prices.
Anisur Rahman, a farmer from Atita village, said he sold 22kg of chillies at Tk230 per kg from one bigha of land, adding that prices would fall if production increased. Other farmers said the lower yield meant the higher prices had not fully offset their production losses.
Consumers, however, are struggling with the price hike. Sarwar Hossain, a resident of Ukilpara, said he now buys only 100 grams of chillies instead of half a kilogram because of the high prices.
Md Monjur Rahman, deputy director of the Naogaon DAE, said the current prices were favourable for farmers, but continued heavy rainfall could further damage the remaining crop. He added the department is providing field-level advice and technical assistance to minimise further losses.
