Fresh green chillies from Chhudzergang and Dekidling Gewogs hit Gelegphu vegetable market recently. However, consumers are complaining of the soaring price. The price ranges from Nu 680 to 800 per kg. Gelegphu has been facing green chilli shortage for almost a month.
Some people said the vegetable vendors are taking advantage of the shortage and increasing the price.
“The price is quite alarming. It is Nu 800 per kg. We cannot afford it and it would be of benefit if concern agency could negotiate to bring down the price,” said Kiran Badhur Mongar, a customer.
“The price of green chilli is high,” said Sangay Namgay, another customer.
Chilli has become a must for Bhutanese while preparing a dish. But to afford a kilogram of chilli in Gelegphu has been costly for the consumers. They said concern authorities should intervene as well.
However, vendors claim that the green chillies are expensive from the source itself.
“The price of chill is expensive from the source. We bring chillies from the farmers in between Nu 550 to 600. It is also very difficult to get,” said Towla, a vegetable vendor.
He added that they don’t have profit from the present rate.
Meantime, Pema Lethro, a farmer from Jimiling under Dekidling Gewog supplied around 60 kilograms of chillies to vegetable vendors in Gelegphu at Nu 400 per kg last Saturday.
“I asked about the wholesale market rate of vegetables to our Agriculture extension officer. It was rated Nu 400 for chillies and then I started selling at the same price,” said Pema Lethro.
Relevant agencies such as Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Bhutan Exporters Association (BEA), Department of Trade and Regional Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (RAMCO) are monitoring but they said there is a hike in the price from the source due to limited supply.
Farmers said, usually at this time of the year, the Dzongkhag does not face chilli shortage. But this time, it was due to unseasonal rainfall in the months of September and October last year which damaged the chillies. And farmers have to replant the chillies again.
Karma Wangdi, Gelegphu
