The suspension of dried Chilli imports from India has driven up prices in the local market, with a kilogramme now selling for as much as Rs. 1,300, association president S. Vinayaga Sundaram said.Sundaram quoting Customs Media Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa said more than 100 containers of imported dried chillies were being held at Sri Lanka Customs after failing to meet the required standards.The consignments, rejected by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution and food inspectors, will not be released to the local market due to their failure to meet the required standards. He said arrangements are being made to re-export the shipments.

Meanwhile, trade associations in India have suspended exports of dried chillies to Sri Lanka amid the situation, further contributing to the price increase, Vinayaga Sundaram said.He also said prices of imported potatoes and big onions had risen by around 10% amid prevailing El Niño conditions.