Farmers and potato traders in Kalai upazila of Joypurhat are facing losses as weak demand and lower-than-expected prices discourage them from releasing potatoes stored in cold facilities. As of the second week of August, potatoes sold at cold-storage gates for Tk920 to Tk960 per 60-kilogram sack, against an estimated production, transport, sorting and storage cost of about Tk1,400. The average loss is about Tk460 per sack.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension, only about 22 percent of potatoes kept in cold storage had been released by the second week of August, while around 78 percent remained stored. At the same time last year, about 45 percent had been released. This year, potatoes were cultivated on 39,330 hectares in Joypurhat, producing about 930,000 tonnes. The district’s 22 cold storages hold about 215,982 tonnes.

Farmers need funds for land preparation, seedlings, fertiliser and labour during the aman rice season, but say their capital remains tied up in storage. Traders reported losses of Tk4,000 to Tk5,000 per truck and Tk50 to Tk55 per sack in some cases. Exporter Md Sujaul Islam said overseas demand was also weak. An agricultural official said higher-than-needed production had lowered prices and authorities were coordinating to improve the market.