News on The Potato Supply Chain from Bangladesh

Bangladesh targets potato production of over 4 million tons just for the Rangpur division

Bangladesh imports over 2,000 tons of seed potato from the Netherlands. Varieties include Diamond, Carolus, Margarita, Barcelona, and Accent.

Potato was sold for Tk 42 to Tk 48 a kg in retail markets in the capital yesterday, a day after the government fixed the retail price at Tk 35.

This year, the potato harvest in Bangladesh was about 150% of what the domestic need is. As a result prices have crashed and despite the high yields, farmers suffer as the can not sell their product.

Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, Tipu Munshi on Saturday said Bangladesh has a surplus production of potato after meeting domestic demand. Bangladesh intends to export the surplus.

The government of the Netherlands and Dutch businesses have inked an agreement to undertake a “potato impact cluster” project in Bangladesh.

Over the last month, potato prices in Dhaka, Bangladesh have seen large increases, as supplies are tight.

Potato growers of the Thakurgaon district, Bangladesh are worried that they might not be able to recover the production cost due to sudden drop in the prices of the vegetable in the ongoing harvesting season.

At Potato Europe, Dutch traders have shown their strong interest to invest in potato farming in Bangladesh aiming to increase the production.

Cold storage operators in Bangladesh said between 15 and 20 lakh (2 million) tonnes of potato will remain unsold by the end of the year because of sluggish demand.

The potato variety Sarpo Mira, highly resistant to late blight, is getting popular among farmers in the main potato-growing areas of Bangladesh, according to both farmers and officials.

In the last fiscal year (FY'16), Bangladesh's potato production hit an all-time-high of 9.47 million tonnes, the latest data showed. However cold storage facilities showed little progress compared to the higher output.

Ahiyan Impex Ltd. is a Bangladeshi exporter and importer of agricultural products which ships potatoes to various international destinations, including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Dubai or Bahrain, and with interest to expand in Russia, despite some initial phytosanitary issues.

Potato Farmers in Rangpur, Bangladesh are happy after harvesting an all-time record amount of potatoes while getting a lucrative market price in the Rangpur agriculture zone.

Thousands of farmers in Bogra, Bangladesh are compelled to sell produced potato in the local markets at low price due to a lack of storage facilities.

Scientists in Bangladesh (BARI) have successfully field-tested a genetically modified (GMO) potato resistant to late blight, one of the most devastating potato diseases. Once the regulatory trial is over in February, they will apply for release of the variety.

The ongoing campaign of protests and transport blockades by Bangladesh's second biggest political party, BNP, is taking its toll on public life and business activity, including potato farmers.

Farmers in Bangladesh's Thakurgaon region harvesting early variety potatoes are making good profit this season.