34,000 tonnes of potatoes to be imported from India

HILI (Dinajpur), Feb 2 (UNB): Aiming to rein in the runaway price of potatoes, the government has approved the import of 34,000 tonnes of the potatoes through the Hili landport from India.

Yusuf Ali, deputy assistant officer of the plant contamination control centre at Hili landport, said the government has decided to import potatoes to rein in the soaring price of the vegetable.

The 49 traders will be able to start importing the potatoes from Saturday or Sunday, Yusuf Ali added.

Shahidul Islam, one of the approved traders, said potatoes are being sold for Tk 40-45 per kg at retail level, which is abnormally high for this time of year. Considering the current situation, the government decided to allow import to gain some control over the price ahead of Ramadan.

He also hoped that the price of potatoes would come down once the potatoes from India arrive in the markets.