Following Eid-ul-Fitr, potatoes, a key staple in Bangladesh, have surpassed rice in pricing, according to recent data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). Coarse and medium rice are currently priced between Tk 50 and Tk 58 per kilogram at retail outlets in various markets across the capital.
Meanwhile, potatoes are being retailed at a minimum price of around Tk 50 per kilogram in the city, with prices ranging from Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kilogram based on the specific area or market. Potato prices surged to Tk 50 per kilogram in city markets prior to Eid and further escalated post the festival.
Wholesalers at Karwan Bazar were selling potatoes at Tk 48 to Tk 50 per kilogram on Monday, indicating an upward trend in prices. A trader at Karwan Bazar highlighted a potato shortage in the market, leading to price hikes. Wholesale prices saw an increase of Tk 4 to Tk 5 per kilogram post-Eid.
The head of the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association recently warned of a potential 30% potato shortage this year, forecasting higher prices. Towards the end of the season, potatoes are expected to fetch over Tk 50 per kilogram.
TCB statistics reveal that consumers are paying nearly twice the amount for potatoes this year compared to the same period last year when prices ranged between Tk 24 and Tk 30 per kilogram.
The President of the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association noted that potatoes entered the market at elevated prices from farmers, with insufficient additional production to address last year’s potato crisis.
Despite the government permitting potato imports to alleviate market shortages, importers are showing limited interest due to high potato prices in neighboring countries.
