The government has approved the import of green chillies and decided to reduce the existing import tax in a bid to curb soaring prices, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said on Sunday.

Authorities expect the move to bring prices down to a tolerable level within the next two to five days, said the minister while speaking to reporters after inspecting the Shantinagar Kitchen Market in the capital.

The market visit was also attended by Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir, State Minister for Food Md Abdul Bari, and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam.

During the inspection, the ministers spoke with traders and consumers to assess the supply, prices and overall market situation of essential commodities.

"The existing import tax on green chillies is being reduced, and import permission has already been granted. Imports will begin from tomorrow, which will help stabilise the market. We expect chilli prices to come down to a reasonable level within two to five days," the agriculture minister said.

Commerce Minister Muqtadir said the government would take all necessary measures to keep the market affordable for consumers.

He also urged the media to report market conditions objectively, saying factual reporting would help prevent misinformation and reduce opportunities for artificial shortages and price manipulation.

Earlier in the day, the commerce minister, agriculture minister and state minister for food attended a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce to review the overall market situation of essential food and agricultural commodities and discuss necessary measures.

They later visited the Shantinagar Kitchen Market as part of the government's market monitoring efforts.

Officials expressed hope that the government's latest measures would help stabilise the supply and prices of essential commodities, providing relief to consumers.