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Green chili import thru Hili suspended on fear of losses
KONGKON KARMAKER, Dinajpur
Imports of green chili through Hili land port in Dinajpur have been suspended as importers fear incurring losses in face of falling prices in local markets.
No green chili was imported through the port on Monday and Tuesday, according to port officials.
Around 27.16 tonnes of green chili were imported from India through Hili land port on June 26. Later, trade activities at the port were shut for six days during the holiday centring Eid-ul-Azha.
And although the port reopened on Monday, no green chili was imported as of 3:00pm on Tuesday, the officials said.
Talking with The Daily Star, importers said that over the past few days, the price of green chili shot up in India while the reverse took place in Bangladesh.
So, importers suspended imports in fear of losses in such an unstable market, they added.
Green chili retailed for between Tk 250 and Tk 280 per kilogramme (kg) at local markets on Tuesday.
Anwar Hossain, one of 11 importers that collectively brought the 27.166 tonnes of green chili, said they would suffer significant losses if they continue importing green chili at this time.
In Indian markets, green chili is currently available for Rs 110 to Rs 120 per kg.
So, including transport, duty and other charges, the import cost stands at around Tk 180 to Tk 190 per kg, he said.
However, the price of green chili dropped largely in domestic markets, he said, adding that they would incur losses of at least Tk 50 per kg by continuing imports in such a situation.
Bablu Rahman, another importer, said they sold the roughly 27 tonnes of imported green chili at Tk 200 per kg to different traders across the country.
“We were preparing to import more from India after the port opened on Monday, but later changed the decision as the price situation in the country became quite normal,” he added.
According to customs officials, the 11 importers were permitted to bring around 4,200 tonnes of green chili through the port.
Sohrab Hossain, public relations officer of Hili port, said that no green chili was imported through the port from Monday.
However, Hossain added that he is yet to hear an official reason for the suspension.
During a visit to different markets in Dinajpur town, this correspondent found that green chili was being sold at about Tk 250 per kg.
On Saturday, green chili was selling at local markets for Tk 500 per kg. After a day, its price dropped by Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg. On Monday, green chili was available at Tk 280 per kg, traders said.