Bangladesh approves Indian raw chili imports to curb soaring prices

The Bangladeshi government announced that raw chili can be imported starting tomorrow, reducing existing duties and granting new import permission to stabilize prices. Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid and Commerce Minister Khandkar Abdul Muktadir visited the Shantinagar market in Dhaka before the decision, saying the move will bring prices to a “reasonable level” within two to five days. Currently, a kilogram of raw chili costs between 320 and 380 takas, up from 400 takas a few weeks earlier.

The first shipment arrived on 3 August via the VOMRA land port in Satkhira, bringing about 90 metric tons of Indian raw chili in ten trucks. Customs Commissioner Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman confirmed the cargo has been cleared and distributed to markets nationwide. Traders expect the continued flow of imports to ease the supply shortage caused by extensive flooding that damaged domestic chili crops, which had driven prices to 250‑300 takas per kilogram.

The combined measures aim to quickly lower consumer costs and prevent artificial price spikes.