INTERNATIONAL

Bangladesh to import 34,000 tonnes of potatoes from India to tame price

• 04 Feb 2024

Aiming to check the very high prices of potatoes, the Bangladesh government has approved the import of 34,000 tonnes of potatoes from India. A total of 25 tonnes of potatoes arrived in Bangladesh through Dinajpur’s Hili landport from India on Saturday afternoon. As a result, the price of potatoes came down to Taka 25-30 per kg at retail markets from Taka 40-45 in the country.

Land port officials told the local media persons that the government has decided to import potatoes from India to rein in the soaring price of the vegetable ahead of Ramadan. A total of 49 traders will be able to start importing the potatoes from Saturday or Sunday, he added.

A local wholesale trader said that the price of potatoes went out of control due to a shortage of supply in Bangladesh's market last year. On October 30, the Bangladesh government allowed the import of potatoes from India to maintain supply and to keep the situation normal. Since then, the price of imported potatoes has come down in the market. Following the market stability, Bangladesh again stopped importing potatoes through the Hili landport on the 15th of December.