Both consumers and farmers have fallen in difficulties amid a surge in potato prices further.
The potato price has further increased to Tk 70-75 from Tk 60-65 a kg, battering consumers.
Habibur Rahman Molla, a potato and spice trader at Rayerbazar-Beribadh in the capital, told the FE that potato prices went up to Tk 55 a kg at cold storages from Tk 46-48 a kg few days back.
He said they were selling potato to retailers at Tk 58-60 a kg considering the wastage.
Meanwhile, the farmers of the northern and central regions have also fallen into great difficulties as seed potato prices have increased to Tk 85-95 a kg.
The problem is bigger for farmers who are solely dependent on private sector seeds.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the country has a demand for 0.75 million tonnes of seed potato of which farmers preserve 75 per cent.
Private entities like BRAC Agro Enterprise, Mallika Seed, Supreme supplies handsome 50,000 tonnes.
Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) provides 6.0-7.0 per cent of potato seed.
Md Altaf Hossain, manager (potato seed) at the BADC, told the FE that the corporation has given 37,000 tonnes of potato seed to the marketing division to provide varieties of potato to farmers and organisations.
He says that the retail prices of different varieties of potato have been fixed at Tk 61-64 a kg.
He said BADC provides potato seed at a subsidised rate. Mr Hossain said private sector has been selling potato seed at Tk 85-95 a kg.
An official at Mollika Seed told the FE that companies preserve quality potato through sorting for seed purpose. He said there is a shortage of potato as early variety is yet to hit the market.
If company fixes the prices of seed potatoes below that of table potatoes, most of the seeds could be sold in the retail market as normal potatoes, he adds.
Md Jahir Uddin, a potato trader and exporter, told the FE that seed costs for per hectare of land will soar to Tk 34000-35000 which is 10-12 per cent higher than that of last year.
He said production of early variety of potato in the northern regions have been hampered this year for odd climate like that of last year which has caused further hike in prices. He also said the production data by the government statistical agency is also been exaggerated making confusion.
However, the BBS says production at 10.6 million tonnes in FY'24 when the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association claims it as 9.0 million tonnes.
Value chain expert Mohammad Moziball Hoque said potato prices remained higher across the year while the country also imported for 0.1 million tonnes which clearly indicates a fall in production.
He has urged the government to ensure quality data by bringing a change in the BBS. Before the beginning of next harvest, all cold storages should be brought under scrutiny to keep a balance in the market, he said.
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