Potato prices may rise above Tk 50 per kg this year: BCSA

Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) has said potatoes will be much pricier this year amid a fall in production.

Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, president of BCSA, expressed concerns over potential potato shortages on Thursday.

He urged the government agency concerned to provide accurate data on potato production to mitigate market disruptions.

The urgency came at a press meet, organised jointly by Savor International Ltd and BCSA, at the BCSA office in the city on the day.

The press conference was organised to announce the upcoming ‘Cold Chain Bangladesh 2024 Exhibition’, scheduled to be held from May 16 to 18 this year.

BCSA provides insights into the upcoming exhibition, which will take place at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in May.

Mr Babu said that consumers might have to buy potatoes at above Tk 50 per kg as farmers' level price is now Tk 27-32/kg which was maximum Tk 15 per kg last year.

Industry Leaders at the conference also urged for the enactment of an integrated policy for the development of cold chain infrastructure to ensure a strategic supply of perishable goods such as potatoes, onions, and tomatoes in off-seasons.

Md Faizul Alam, managing director of Savor International Ltd, while moderating the event told the media that the exhibition would serve as a platform to showcase advancements in cold chain technologies and discuss strategies to enhance the efficiency of cold storage and logistics in Bangladesh.

He emphasised the necessity of an integrated policy for cold chain management involving multiple government ministries, industry stakeholders, and experts to address the evolving needs of the agricultural and perishable goods sector.

[email protected]