India, March 17 -- The prices of green chilli, an essential ingredient in Indian kitchens, have more than doubled in both the wholesale and retail markets, with little chance of a reduction soon. The price of lower quality green chilli in the wholesale Turbhe's APMC market, which cost Rs.20-30 per kg a week ago, have increased to Rs.45 per kg. The price of good quality chilli has increased from Rs.40 per kg to Rs.75 per kg. In the retail market, the price has sharply risen from Rs.40-50- per kg to Rs.125 to Rs.160 per kg, varying by the quality.

Businesses are blaming low arrivals compounded by heat for the price hike. Ram Yadav, a wholesaler, said, "We are getting chilli stock from Nagpur, Gujarat, Palghar, Karnataka etc and the arrival...