KARACHI: Prices of green chilli (hari mirch) and capsicum (Shimla mirch) saw a sharp increase on Monday, with the former being sold for Rs320 per kg and the latter for Rs480 per kg.

Market sources said green chilli and capsicum prices had been under pressure this month. Capsicum was available at Rs180-200 per while green chilly was tagged at Rs200-240 per kg.

Owing to very high prices, many consumers now find it hard to buy green chilli – a staple of desi cooking – which is now available for Rs80 per 250 grams. Similarly, a large sized capsicum is being sold for Rs40-50.

Shimla mirch sells at Rs480 per kg

According to the Price List of Commissioner Karachi, the wholesale and retail rate of capsicum swelled to Rs400 and Rs403 per kg on Monday from Rs130 and Rs133 per kg on Oct 1. The wholesale and retail rates for capsicum were Rs330 and Rs333 per kg on Sunday.

The official wholesale and retail prices of chili have been raised to Rs240 and Rs243 per kg from Rs110 and Rs113 per kg, respectively.

Demand for capsicum has increased in the last few years with a growing number of Chinese and Pan-Asian restaurants in the country.

Talking to Dawn, a retailer said that brinjal (baigan) and bottle gourd (lokey) were available at Rs60-70 per kg. “The price of onion has not come down from Rs80 per kg despite the arrival of the vegetable from Iran and Afghanistan. Most items are selling above Rs100 per kg. Tomato still costs Rs160 per kg despite imports,” he added.

The retailer said monsoon rains coupled with locust attacks had destroyed many vegetable crops in the country, thus causing shortage of many items in the markets.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2020