A combo of file photos shows green chilli, aubergine, onion and garlic. The government on Monday banned exports of the four essential commodities till August 31. — New Age photos

The government on Monday banned exports of green chilli, aubergine, onion and garlic till August 31, the commerce ministry in an order said.
The export restriction on these items was imposed to keep the supply of the commodities stable in the local market during the month of Ramadan which begins later this month.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry earlier on July 3 urged the government to slap a ban on export of six commodities, including green chilli, aubergine, onion and garlic, to stop price hike during Ramadan.
Two other items were potato and cucumber.
The FBCCI in a statement said that a restriction on exports of certain essential commodities would help smooth their supply and keep the prices stable during Ramadan, the month of fasting.
Prices of all types of vegetables, including the four of which the export ban has been imposed, and essential commodities like soya bean oil, sugar and gram have been on the rise over the last one month.
Traders usually increase the prices of these items during Ramadan.
FBCCI earlier said that price of green chilli was on the rise because of export of the item to India, which was facing a shortage in supply because of floods.
The prices of green chilli surged by over 200 per cent to Tk 100 a kg in the city markets last week from Tk 40 a month ago.
Onion was retailing at Tk 24 to Tk 35 a kg for the last one week while it was selling at Tk 18 to Tk 30 a kg the week before. Onion was retailing at Tk 12 to Tk 26 a kg in early June.
Garlic was retailing at Tk 50 to Tk 110 a kg over the week, while the it was selling at Tk 40 to Tk 90 a kg the week before.
Aubergine price fluctuated in last one month. It was retailing at Tk 35 to Tk 40 a kg over the week. In early June, it was selling at Tk 20 a kg. In the middle of June, its price increased to Tk 50 a kg from Tk 20 a kg.
The price of aubergine increased to over Tk 100 last Ramadan.
Bangladesh exports vegetables and fruits to the Middle East, the UK and other countries, for migrant workers and non-resident Bangladeshis.