Hanamkonda: The red chilli price set a new record on Tuesday, the desi varieties going for Rs 48,000 per quintal at the Enumamula agriculture market yard in Hanamkonda district. This is said to be the highest in the country.
Red chilli was sold at Rs 17,000 at the beginning of the year at Enumamula, and at Rs 27,000 two weeks ago. On Monday, the price stood at Rs 45,000 per quintal. The price of ‘single patti’ chilli which is used to make pickles and chilli powder, followed a similar trend.
When news spread of the record prices, large quantities of chilli were brought to the market from cold storages.
Sources said the yield had fallen to about a fourth of what it was last year, due to pest attack. Against 20-30 per acre, farmers could gather only four to five quintals this year.
