Potato prices coming down in local markets

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Jasim Uddin Haroon
Prices of potato have been fast declining in the local kitchen markets following the government's decision to allow duty free import for arresting price hike of the item.
The government Monday allowed duty free import of potato until October 15 to stabilise the soaring prices prevailing in the local markets.
Currently, the retail prices of potato are ranging between Tk 18 and Tk 19 for each kilogram (kg) in the city markets.
But sources of different border districts told the FE that the prices of potato ranged between Tk 12 and Tk 13 for each kg.
The prices were Tk 20 and Tk 22 each kg even a few days back in the local markets.
Sources of the cold storages and potato trading circle said that the first consignment of 10,000 tonnes of potato reached Bogra from India through Hili land port Tuesday.
As a result, the prices of the item dropped in Bogra, Dinajpur and other adjoining districts.
Potato traders also said more 25,000 tonnes of Indian potato might arrive today (Thursday) through Banglabandha and other land ports.
However, the prices of potato at the gates of cold storage also fell Wednesday.
Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) sources said the prices of potato at the different cold storages' gates were Tk 15.20 each kg Wednesday. Earlier, it was Tk 16 each kg.
The BCSA has protested the government's decision for duty free import of the potato and said it will severely affect the country's large number of potato farmers.
BCSA chairman Major (retd) Jasim Uddin told the FE that the government's decision to allow free import will hurt the local growers.
He argued that the increased prices of potato in the local markets were justified on the grounds of increased production costs and agricultural inputs over the past few years.
He said the cost of potato production and subsequent preservation accounts for Tk 11.50 each kg.