Despite declining local potato prices, exports surged to a three-year high in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Bangladesh exported 62,135 tons, marking the largest export volume since 2021-22. This contrasts with an average of 50,000 tons in prior years. Exporters procured potatoes at $0.07 to $0.20 per kg, compared to $0.30 the previous year. At the field level, farmer prices dropped to $0.11 per kg, below the Agriculture Department's estimated production cost of $0.14 per kg, with some northern regions experiencing costs up to $0.20 per kg.
Potato cultivation expanded to a record 5.24 lakh hectares, 15% more than the previous year, prompted by a price spike to $0.80 per kg in November. High yields and inadequate storage systems later depressed market prices. The Bangladesh Cold Storage Association projects production could reach 12 million tons, though official figures await release. Bangladesh's export destinations include Malaysia, the UAE, Singapore, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bahrain. Varieties like 'Granola', 'Diamond-7', and 'Majestic' are notable for export, with the Department of Agricultural Extension encouraging 'Granola', 'Santana', and 'Kumari'.
Exporter Rashed Shamim highlighted, "Export to countries like Cambodia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines is not possible due to poor packaging, hygiene, and quality control systems." Syed Md. Rafiqul Amin of the Hortex Foundation stated, "Farmers have suffered a lot. However, if exports increase, they will get some relief." Towhidul Islam remarked, 'Last season, I exported 30,000 tons of potatoes, whereas the previous year I exported only 1,400 tons. I took advantage of this opportunity because the prices were low." Infrastructure, quality control, and better connections are viewed as keys to unlocking future potential.
Source: Bangladesh Pratidin
