MOSTAFA SHABUJ, Bogura

Potato exports this year so far surpass last year’s figures by 10.7 percent, yet that is not enough to cover a surplus in production and bring relief to farmers.

As per provisional data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), so far, approximately 1.17 crore tonnes of potatoes have been produced this year, compared to about 1.15 crore tonnes last year. This indicates a possible increase of over 200,000 tonnes year-on-year.

The official Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data on potato production is yet to be published, however.

On the other hand, according to the DAE, the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA), and the Bangladesh Potato Exporters Association, the annual demand for potatoes in Bangladesh is 85 to 90 lakh tonnes.

BCSA said 36 lakh tonnes of potatoes are currently stored in cold storage, which is 1 lakh tonnes more than last year.

Meanwhile, the Plant Quarantine Wing of the DAE shared that potato exports in FY26 so far (as of April 29) were 52,293 tonnes. Exports in FY25 till April 30 stood at 47,225 tonnes. The increase stands at a little over 5,000 tonnes, not nearly enough to cover the excess production this year.

Experts in this sector have blamed several factors for the meagre exports, namely, low cultivation of export-quality potatoes and higher production costs than neighbouring nations.

GAP BETWEEN PRODUCTION AND EXPORT

AKM Mafidul Islam, deputy director (export) of the Plant Quarantine Wing, said the export momentum is better this year compared to previous years.

“Furthermore, the Vietnamese market has recently opened up for Bangladeshi potato exporters.”

He remained hopeful that potato exports would rise this year.

Ferdousi Begum, chairman of the Bangladesh Potato Exporters Association, said, “The demand for potatoes in Bangladesh is only 85 lakh tonnes, but we have had a surplus since 2007.”

“There is not much demand for Bangladeshi potatoes anywhere except Malaysia.”

Some go to Nepal, but the potatoes get damp from rain in July during the loading and unloading process, and it lowers the quality, she said.

Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, president of the BCSA, said, “The main problem with exporting potatoes from Bangladesh is that the production cost is higher than in neighbouring countries.”

“This year, the cost of producing one kilogramme of potatoes in the Northern districts was Tk 15 and Tk 19 in Munshiganj. In contrast, the production cost in India is around Tk 10. Due to this, Nepal is buying from India instead of Bangladesh this year, Babu said.

“Furthermore, the cultivation of export-quality potatoes in Bangladesh is still significantly low.”

GROWING FRUSTRATION FOR POTATO GROWERS

Farmers have complained of low prices despite a record harvest.

Rafiqul Islam, a farmer from Chhatianpara village in Bogura’s Shibganj upazila, said his potato crop on 9 bighas of land was damaged by rain. Despite the government’s assurances, he has yet to receive any assistance.

Abdul Motin, a farmer at Shibganj’s Kichak bazar, a major hub for potato wholesalers, said that the price of local variety ‘Pakri’ potatoes has dropped by half compared to the start of the season. The surplus supplies have kept prices low, he told this correspondent, while farmers are struggling to sell off the excess.

Discouraged by the lack of profit, Sakiul Islam, a farmer from Rajahar village in Gaibandha’s Gobindaganj upazila, said he plans to only grow enough potatoes for personal consumption in the future.

Nayeem Islam, a farmer from Biala village in Joypurhat’s Kalai upazila, said he plans to drop potato cultivation entirely from next year.

Meanwhile, retail prices for potatoes in Dhaka have remained between Tk 20 and Tk 25 per kilogramme, as per the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). The prices were the same this time last year.

LIKELY MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE CRISIS

Farmers are currently producing more potatoes than needed, said Abdur Rahim, director general of the DAE.

“For this reason, the government is working to increase potato usage by processing them alongside exports.”

He said the government plans to create a database in the future using farmer cards.

“We will then be able to determine exactly how much land should be used for potato cultivation based on national demand,” the DG added.

Talking to The Daily Star, prominent agricultural economist Jahangir Alam Khan listed several measures the government could take to mitigate this crisis.

“This year, the government could set a minimum procurement price for potatoes.”

He suggested the government buy and store at least 10 percent of the total production at this fixed price to stabilise the market, releasing the potatoes later when prices rise.