VENDORS are feeling the heat as the price of fresh chilli peppers has soared to record high in many parts of the country reaching 250-350 baht a kilogramme, TV Channel 7 and Amarin TV said last evening (Jan. 13).
A news team surveyed prices at a market in Khuan Kalong district, Satun province, and found bird’s eye chillies being sold at 300-350 baht a kg, while Jinda red chillies were going for 250 baht a kg.
Vendors explained that chilli prices are unprecedently high right now due to severe flooding in the south last November, as well as the current dry season resulting in lower yields and insufficient supply to meet demand.
Vendors selling chilli paste and ready-to-eat meals stated that they have been greatly affected, as fresh chillies are a key ingredient, but they are still selling at the same price.
Similarly, in Mueang district, Khon Kaen province, the price of fresh bird’s eye chillies has skyrocketed to 200 baht per kg. A som tum (papaya salad) vendor said that in over 30 years of selling this popular dish, she has never seen fresh chillies this expensive.
Previously she bought fresh chillies at 50 baht a kg but by the end of last year price rose to 180-200 baht a kg and has continued to increase ever since.
She has now stopped by buying fresh chillies, switching to dried ones instead, and while the price of these too has risen to 200 baht per kg, they are lighter and one gets a larger quantity than fresh ones.
A curry paste vendor said that the continuous increase in fresh chilli prices has significantly impacted her, as chilli is a key ingredient. Despite the price hike, she has not raised the price of her curry paste, absorbing the cost and selling it at 100 baht a kg or 10 baht a 100 grammes, making only a small profit. She believes chilli prices will decrease within two months.
A survey of fresh chilli prices in the central region, such as at Talat Thai market in Pathum Thani province, showed a variety of prices. Red bird’s eye chillies and Jinda chilies averaged 140-170 baht a kg, garden bird’s eye chillies were 90-200 baht a kg, and green bird’s eye chillies were 60-70 baht a kg.
CAPTIONS:
Red chillies. Above photo – Amarin TV, Front Page photo – Thai Rath
First insert – A bag of som tum. Photo – Amarin TV
Second insert – Dried chillies. Photo – Amarin TV
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