Bangladesh began importing green chilies from India through the Hili land port in Dinajpur on the afternoon of August 3 to help control domestic prices. Trucks carrying Indian chilies started entering the country after import procedures were completed. Eleven importers received permission to bring in about 3,400 tonnes through Hili, and traders said news of the imports had already lowered prices by Tk80 to Tk90 per kilogram.

Importer Shahabul Islam said continuous rain and adverse weather had damaged chili fields in several parts of the country, reducing production and creating a supply shortage. He said prices had climbed to Tk300 to Tk400 per kilogram. Importers had sought permission because green chilies were comparatively cheaper in India, and they opened letters of credit and completed other required formalities after approval.

Anwar Hossain, deputy director of the Hili Land Port Plant Quarantine Centre, said the government granted the import permission to control market prices. He said Indian green chilies were last imported through the port on November 20 of last year. Traders expect supplies to increase and prices to decline further if imports continue regularly.