Bangladés: Potato price goes up without reason in Gaibandha
The prices of potatoes remained stable in Gaibandha amid volatile commodity markets. But now the price of potato has increased by Tk 15 per kg within a month. Currently, potatoes are being sold at Tk 40 to Tk 45 per kg in the district.
However, no logical reason could be found for the sudden increase of potato prices.
This year despite having enough potatoes in the cold storages in the district, the prices have increased abnormally. Some say the effect of rising prices of other commodities, while others say increased demand.
Besides, many are blaming syndicate. Therefore, consumers complain that the price of potatoes is increasing by showing artificial crisis.
According to Gaibandha District Agricultural Extension Department, in the financial year 2022-23, potato cultivation was done on 10,115 hectares of land in the district. About 2,62,990 metric tons of potatoes have been produced from these lands. And the annual demand of potato is 2,33,359 metric tons. Apart from these potatoes produced, 29,633 metric tons of potatoes are stored in five cold storages in the district.
According to several sources, during the season, traders bought potatoes from local farmers and stored in different cold storages. Now compared to the demand, the price of potatoes is increasing because those sacks of potatoes are not taken out of the storages.
Hamidul Islam, manager of Dhapherhat RV Cold Storage, said, ’There is sufficient stock of potatoes in this cold store. Due to the recent increase in the price of potatoes, Traders are releasing potatoes irregularly from here.’
Abdus Salam, assistant director of the district office of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said, ’Not only potatoes, markets are being monitored so that no one can sell products at excessive prices.’
SR
Fuente: https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=427878
