Bangladesh farmers refuse to retrieve potatoes from storage amid low prices and mounting losses

Potato growers in Bangladesh are suffering significant financial losses due to oversupply and a sharp decline in domestic prices. In the northern Rangpur region, more than 882 thsd tons of potatoes remain unsold in cold storage facilities, accounting for nearly 74% of the volumes placed in storage. Low procurement prices have prompted some farmers to abandon their stored potatoes, as selling them would not cover production, storage and transportation costs.

According to local agricultural authorities, farmers in the Rangpur region harvested around 5.17 mln tons of potatoes from 197.6 thsd hectares in the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the combined capacity of 124 cold storage facilities amounts to only about 1.19 mln tons, equivalent to 23% of total production. A large harvest combined with limited marketing opportunities has led to substantial stock accumulation and increased pressure on the domestic market.

In October, potato prices at cold storage facilities fell to 11–14 taka/kg, while production costs are estimated at 17–18 taka/kg, excluding additional long-term storage expenses. According to farmers, actual losses could reach 10–11 taka per kilogram of potatoes. Cold storage costs alone amount to approximately 7 taka/kg, making it economically unviable to continue holding inventories.

Difficult market conditions are also affecting other potato-producing regions of the country. In Thakurgaon district, growers and traders report losses due to high storage costs and insufficient demand. Some farmers had placed potatoes in cold storage expecting a seasonal price recovery, but the anticipated market improvement failed to materialize. Accumulating inventories are creating additional challenges ahead of the arrival of the new harvest.

Agricultural industry representatives are calling on the government to take measures to stabilize the market, including expanding export opportunities and supporting loss-making producers. Agricultural authorities are also advising farmers to reconsider their cropping patterns and diversify production to prevent further oversupply. Persistently low prices could lead to a reduction in potato planting areas in the next season.

Tags: Bangladesh, potato