Bagerhat, Oct 15 (V7N) – In Bagerhat's largest market, green chillies are now being sold at an unprecedented price of Tk 600 per kilogram, a steep rise from last week's price of Tk 180-220. This surge in the price of green chillies, alongside other daily commodities, has added pressure on consumers already grappling with high costs for vegetables, spices, fish, and rice.

The price hike is most noticeable in green chillies, but other vegetables have also seen significant increases. For instance, potatoes that were sold at Tk 55 per kg are now priced at Tk 60, while misty pumpkins have doubled in price from Tk 30 to Tk 60. Other common vegetables such as cucumbers, gourds, and tomatoes have also spiked, with tomatoes reaching Tk 260 per kg. No vegetable in the market is selling for less than Tk 60, say local traders.

Price Breakdown of Vegetables:
- Potatoes : Tk 60 per kg (previously Tk 55)
- Misty Pumpkin : Tk 60 per kg (previously Tk 30)
- Cucumber : Tk 80 per kg (previously Tk 40)
- Gourd : Tk 80 per kg
- Tomatoes : Tk 260 per kg
- Pepe : Tk 60 per kg
- Dheras : Tk 60 per kg
- Kushi : Tk 80 per kg
- Potl : Tk 90 per kg
- Kachur Mukhi : Tk 80 per kg

The surge in vegetable prices is largely attributed to the recent rainfall and flooding in several districts, which have destroyed many vegetable gardens, leading to a supply shortage.


The 22-day government ban on hilsa fishing to protect the breeding season has led to a shortage of sea fish in the market. As a result, locally produced freshwater fish are being sold at much higher prices. Prices of popular fish varieties such as Rui, Katla, Mrigel, and Silvercarp range from Tk 350 to Tk 500, while Tengra, prawns, and other fish are being sold for Tk 500 to Tk 800 per kg. The price of rice has also increased by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kg, with Swarna Bullet rice selling at Tk 50 to Tk 55 per kg and small rice varieties at Tk 60 to Tk 90 per kg.


Housewives like Selima Khanom and Salma Akhtar expressed their frustration with the steep price increases. Salma Akhtar noted, "The price of green chillies has more than doubled in just one week. If this continues, it will be impossible for us to manage household expenses."

Local traders, like Sheikh Talif , attribute the price hikes to the impact of floods and the disruption of vegetable supplies. "Many vegetable gardens have been destroyed, which is why the prices have gone up," he explained.

To address the situation, Abdullah Al Imran , Assistant Director of the Bagerhat Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, assured that a market monitoring task force has been deployed to control price irregularities. "We are conducting regular raids, and action is being taken whenever we find inconsistencies," he said.

The escalating prices of essential commodities have raised concerns among locals, who are calling on the government to take urgent steps to stabilize the market and protect the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.

END/MPS/AJ