The government has approved the import of 50,000 tonnes of potatoes in 2 days to stabilise the kitchen market.
The government decided to import potatoes on October 30 and the application to seek approval to import potatoes started on October 31.
Import of 49,755 tonnes of potatoes has been allowed against 77 applications, the Ministry of Agriculture said.
The price of potatoes has increased by Tk 12-20 last week. Potatoes are being sold at Tk 60-70 per kg in various retail markets of the capital, which was Tk 48-50 a week ago.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), potatoes were sold at Tk 25-30 per kg at this time last year in the retail market.
Data shows this year the buyer has to buy potatoes at a higher price of 109 per cent.
The owners of cold storage blame the 20 per cent reduction in potato production compared to last year for the price hike.
Various government organisations have conducted raids on many cold storage across the country to prevent unethical stock.
According to Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, the total population of the country is around 17.30 crores and the demand for potatoes is 89.92 to 91.09 lakh tonnes per year. The daily demand is 25,000 tons.
Meanwhile, several mobile courts have conducted raids to ensure the sale of potatoes at the government-fixed price of Tk 26-27 per kg.
Mobile courts on Tuesday conducted raids in various districts including Dinajpur.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce gave instruction to the district commissioners to ensure that the potatoes are being sold at a government-fixed price.
The district commissioners were told to implement this directive from Wednesday.
