9 tons of raw chilies arrive from India

As the price of raw chilies has suddenly increased abnormally due to heavy rains in the country, the import of raw chilies from India has started. Those concerned are hoping that this will reduce the price of chilies in the domestic market. An Indian truck carrying 9,200 kg of raw chilies entered the port through Benapole land port at around 8 pm yesterday, Monday (August 3).
After the port formalities were completed, the imported raw chilies were sent to Dhaka that night. The importer of this consignment, Shimu Enterprises, and C&F agent Shimu Shipping Lines are assisting in the unloading process from the port. Pepper importer Shahjan said that his total cost of importing each kg of raw chilies was about Tk 135. He said that it will be sold at a low profit in the market.
Shahjan also said that if imports increase, the price of chilies in the market will decrease. However, due to harassment by the customs department and complications in clearing the goods, the revenue is being overstated. He also alleged that importers are facing losses and the import cost is increasing.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, after receiving government permission, the import of raw chili has started from various Indian provinces, especially Nashik. In the first phase, 69 traders have received a total of 29,710 tons of raw chili import permits (IPs) and the import activities have started from Monday. Meanwhile, raw chili was seen being sold at Tk 300 per kg in the raw market of Benapole port on Monday. Sellers are hoping that the price in the market will come down slightly if imports increase.
A review of import-related documents has shown that the declared import price of raw chili per ton is Tk 23,875, that is, the price per kg is about Tk 24. In addition, the government has to pay about Tk 45 as duty per kg. Accordingly, the import cost is expected to be about Tk 78 per kg. However, importers claim that the actual cost is increasing due to the addition of other costs including transportation, customs, port clearance.
Meanwhile, ordinary buyers are suffering due to the rising price of raw chili. They have appealed to the government to increase effective supervision in the market. According to the Department of Agriculture, the import operation has been started to maintain normal supply in the market. The government has allowed the import of raw chili from India to deal with the price increase and supply crisis of raw chili in the domestic market. Shamim Hossain, Director of Benapole Land Port, said that as soon as the truck carrying raw chili reached the port, the paperwork was completed quickly and arrangements were made for its unloading. Several more trucks carrying raw chili are waiting to cross the border. These trucks are scheduled to enter Benapole port on Tuesday.