The price of a cup of tea in local shops ranges from 5 to 10 taka, yet marginal farmers in Bangladesh are unable to sell even one kilogram of potatoes at a profitable rate. This claim comes from the Bangladesh "Krishok Khet Mazur Sangram Samiti"(Farmers’ organization).
The organization held a human chain protest in Rangpur demanding a fair price for potatoes on Sunday.
During the protest, they stated that the cost of producing one kilogram of potatoes including fertilizer, seeds, irrigation, and labor ranges between 17 to 18 taka. However, farmers are forced to sell potatoes at only 3 to 4 taka per kilogram at the production level, which is even less than the price of a cup of tea.
Amid this situation, the elected government is planning new initiatives to ensure fair prices for farmers. One such step involves exporting potatoes to neighboring countries in South Asia.
Government officials confirmed that Bangladesh’s potatoes will target the South Asian market.
According to sources from the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladeshi companies have already begun exporting potatoes to Sri Lanka and Nepal. Now, Bangladesh plans to propose exporting potatoes to Bhutan as well. Both countries have a preferential trade agreement (PTA), under which Bangladesh will suggest including potatoes in the list of exportable items.
The Bangladesh-Bhutan trade secretary-level meeting is scheduled to begin today at a hotel in Dhaka. This two-day meeting will discuss proposals to add new products under the PTA. Currently, the PTA lists 34 products from Bhutan and 100 products from Bangladesh for preferential trade. In this meeting, Bangladesh may propose adding 80 more products, including potatoes, reflecting the government’s interest in promoting agricultural exports.
Data shows that in 2025, Bangladesh’s potato exports quadrupled, reaching over 50,000 to 60,000 tons, a record compared to previous years. The increase is attributed to high production, low local prices, and strong demand in Asian markets, particularly in the Middle East and Malaysia. However, despite rising exports, farmers’ fair prices have not yet been secured. Therefore, the government is planning exports not only through existing markets but also to neighboring South Asian countries.
Potatoes are currently being exported to Nepal via the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh. In February, 16 trucks carrying 336 metric tons of potatoes were sent to Nepal.
Port authorities report that from January to February 13, a total of 46 trucks transported 966 metric tons of potatoes from Bangladesh to Nepal through this port. The same route could also be used for exports to Bhutan.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
