Potato cultivation in Bangladesh surged 15% year-on-year to 5.24 lakh hectares in FY2024-25 due to record-high prices last season. However, an oversupply has driven prices below production costs, with farmers selling at Tk 11-13 per kg, despite costs rising to Tk 15-17 per kg. The 1.06-1.20 crore tonnes production estimate surpasses the 90 lakh tonnes annual demand, worsening the price crash. High input costs, including Tk 80 per kg for seeds, have deepened farmer losses. Cold storage charges have also risen by Tk 4 per kg, further squeezing profits. Retail prices remain low at Tk 20-30 per kg, with experts predicting they won’t exceed Tk 40 per kg this year. The government acknowledges the crisis and plans policy support, but supply chain monitoring challenges persist. Farmers fear continued losses, with some reconsidering potato cultivation next season unless intervention stabilizes the market.
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