The prices of potato have dropped by Tk 9 per kg within a week as the main potato season has started in the country and supply of its imports has increased.
The prices of this vegetable have come down to Tk 19-21 per kg in the wholesale market, which was Tk 28-30 a week ago.
However, potatoes are being sold in the retail market at Tk 25-30 per kg, which was Tk 40 a week ago.
Traders said the main season of potatoes has started in the country. As a result, the supply of potatoes from various districts, including Bogura and Thakurgaon, the biggest hubs of potato production, has increased. In addition, a large amount of imported potatoes has entered the country's market. So, the price is going down fast.
Zarik Hoser, a wholesaler at Karwan Bazar, said the prices of potatoes are decreasing rapidly due to increased supply in the retail and wholesale market from different districts of country. The price will drop further in a few weeks because the supply of potatoes from Munshiganj, the biggest hub of potatoes, will double.
Potatoes were sold at Tk 20-21 per kg at Karwan Bazar on Monday. Small wholesalers bought potato from big wholesalers and sold it at Tk 24-25 per kg. Retailers bought potatoes from small wholesalers and sold it at Tk 30-35 per kg.
It was seen that four kilograms of potatoes were being sold for Tk 100 by mobile vans in various areas of Dhaka, including Maniknagar.
According to the information of the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), potatoes were sold at Tk 19-22 per kg at Karwan Bazar, Shyambazar and Babubazar on Monday.
Potato was retailing at Tk 25-35 per kg in various markets, including Town Hall Bazar and New Market, Banalata Kachabazar in the capital.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the production cost of potato in the country is Tk 15.95 per kg.
According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) calculation, potatoes were sold in the retail market at Tk 20-22 per kg on February 19 last year.
When potato harvest will start in all the districts of the country, the prices will decrease further. If the price continues to fall at this rate, the farmers are likely to suffer losses.
