Making the most of surplus potato production

The fact that Bangladesh currently produces nearly 12 million tonnes of potatoes -- around 4.0 million tonnes in surplus -- is no mean achievement. It signals the country's rising agricultural capacity and the farmers' resilience. Yet, the paradox lies in the shocking reality that this surplus, instead of generating substantial export earnings, often goes to waste. Farmers, who should have been celebrating bumper harvests, end up facing distress sales due to inadequate storage facilities, poor marketing strategies and the absence of a well-devised export policy.

For several years now, abundant potato harvest has ironically become a source of misery for growers. The absence of adequate planning -- particularly the lack of sufficient cold storages near potato-growing belts -- forces farmers to offload their produce at throwaway prices. In a severely underpriced domestic market, where demand is limited, the burden of bumper harvests falls squarely on growers who often struggle to recover even their production costs.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), potato production reached an all-time high of 11.57 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2024-25. This marked a 9.17 per cent increase over the previous year's 10.60 million tonnes. The increase was driven largely by the expansion of acreage -- around 35,000 hectares more than the previous year -- and favourable weather conditions. Ironically, while production soared, farm-gate prices slumped to their lowest in a decade.

The mismatch between production and consumption is at the heart of this crisis. Estimates by the Tuber Research Centre (TRC) and the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) suggest that domestic demand for potatoes stands at just over 9.0 million tonnes annually, including 1.0 million tonnes set aside for seeds. Of this, around 8.0 million tonnes are directly consumed as food, with a portion used in food processing industries for chips, crackers, and other products. Exports, however, remain negligible-barely crossing 62,000 tonnes in FY25. Compared to the total output, this is an insignificant volume, doing little to absorb the mounting surplus.

To ease the glut in the domestic market, the BCSA has suggested that the government include 10 kilograms of potatoes per household in its social safety net schemes. Such an initiative, they argue, could absorb at least 1.0 million tonnes from cold storages, benefiting both farmers and low-income consumers. However, while such domestic adjustments may offer temporary relief, the real and sustainable solution lies in boosting exports.

The question, therefore, is why potato exports have not yet gained traction. The global demand for potatoes is undeniable. Eastern European countries, including Russia and other former Soviet states, remain major consumers and are heavily dependent on imports despite Russia being the world's third-largest producer after China and India. Bangladesh, the seventh-largest potato producer, is well-positioned to cater to these markets. Yet exports remain constrained by several obstacles.

A major setback came when Russia imposed a temporary ban on Bangladeshi potatoes after detecting fungal diseases. The ban highlighted a structural weakness -- the absence of accredited laboratories in Bangladesh for pre-shipment testing and certification in line with international standards, particularly those of Russia and the European Union. Without such testing facilities, it is impossible to build a credible export pipeline to high-demand markets. Although Bangladesh has been exporting to some East European countries since 2011, a lack of systematic quality control has stunted growth.

Experts believe that if Bangladesh can align its production practices with market-specific preferences and meet sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements, potato exports could rise significantly. This would not only open up new revenue streams for the country but also improve farm-gate prices, offering farmers a fair return on their investment and hard work. Increased exports would also reduce wastage, as the current surplus often rots in cold storages or remains unsold.

Making this vision a reality requires a comprehensive policy and investment package. Accredited testing laboratories must be established urgently to meet international quality standards. Cold storage facilities need to be expanded and modernised, especially in high-production regions. Export logistics -- ranging from transportation and packaging to customs clearance -- must be streamlined. Equally important, farmers need access to training and guidance on producing export-grade potatoes that meet the specifications of importing countries.

Export promotion cannot be viewed as a mere side business; it has to be pursued as a national priority, given its potential multiplier effects. Beyond immediate relief for farmers, successful potato exports could generate foreign exchange, create jobs across the supply chain and contribute to rural development.

In the final analysis, the challenge is less about producing potatoes -- since Bangladesh has already proven its capacity to achieve record harvests -- and more about managing and marketing the surplus effectively. Unless urgent measures are taken to raise quality of potato and facilitate exports, the recurring cycle of bumper harvests turning into farmers' misery will persist.

Given the scale of production and the growing international demand, there is every reason to believe that Bangladesh can transform its potato sector into a success story. What is needed now is the will to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete and coordinated action.

wasiahmed.bd@gmail.com