Incessant rainfall has caused price hikes of all types of vegetables in Manikganj markets, with green chili seeing the steepest rise, leaving consumers worried.

The price of green chili, which used to sell for Tk 100 per kilogram, has jumped four-fold to Tk 400.

Other vegetables have also become more expensive as brinjal and bitter gourd are now selling at Tk 100 per kilogram, while ridge gourd, ivy gourd, and okra are priced at Tk 80.

Bottle gourd is available for Tk 60 per kilogram. Onion prices have increased slightly, reaching Tk 60 per kilogram, up by Tk 10.

A visit to the Manikganj Bus Stand vegetable market on Friday revealed the price hike across the board.

593 metric tons of green chilies imported from India via Benapole in two days

Jagir Bandar Dhaleshwari wholesale market usually receives nearly 1,000 sacks of green chili daily from Manikganj and surrounding districts, which are then distributed to Dhaka and other markets across the country.

However, due to the Puja holidays and a recent closure of Indian LCs, only 50 to 60 sacks of chili are arriving, meeting barely half the usual demand.

Local wholesalers said that domestic chili arrives from western districts including Chuadanga, Meherpur, and Jhinaidah, along with regular imports from India.

Recent rains have delayed harvests, while the closed Indian border has cut imports, creating a shortage.

Wholesalers said the limited supply has caused chili prices to surge by Tk 200–400 per sack. Shahid Uddin, a wholesaler at Dhaleshwari, said, “Two days ago, a 5-kg pack of chili sold for Tk 1,000. Yesterday it rose to Tk 1,200–1,300, and today it reached Tk 1,500.”

Chili growers in Manikganj worried over low production due to drought

Market inspections also revealed that prices of other vegetables, including brinjal, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, ivy gourd, and long beans, have risen by Tk 100–200 per sack due to reduced supply.