Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin -File Photo

DHAKA, Dec 13, 2025 (BSS) - Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today emphasized the need for collective efforts to diversify potato products and enhance their utilisation, citing the crop’s huge export potential.

Bashir made the call at the closing ceremony of Potato Festival-2025 held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital. Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) organised the first ever potato exhibition in the country.

“In last year, the price of potatoes was high. It was a problem. This year, the price of this product reduced at Taka 20 per kg. It is also a problem. We should diversify potatoes and its utilization as well as increase the export,” Bashir said.

He highlighted that Bangladesh could not become competitive in the global market in this regard. So, all stakeholders should work together, said a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman appreciated the organizers for organising the festival of such agriculture product.

“We produce around 1.14 lakh tons of potatoes, but there is a demand of 90 lakh tons in Bangladesh. So, we have a production surplus. We need diversification,” he added.

Mahbubur added that this year, the price of potatoes came down as the country failed to export.

“We have to create demand of our products in the global market. We should export more potatoes in season. The government is ready to provide necessary policy support. However, cash incentives will not increase after this year. We should not use unnecessary fertilizer as it increases the cost of production,” he also said.

BCSA President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said a total of 66 local and international organisations are showcasing innovations in modern potato farming tools, advanced cold storage technology, processing and value addition, export solutions, cold-chain systems, agricultural machinery and diverse potato-based food products.

“There is huge economical potential. If we can produce quality potatoes, we can earn huge exports. The production cost is Taka 6 to Taka 7 more in Bangladesh than Pakistan and India. We should train up our farmers,” the business leader informed.

He added that more than 2000 visitors visited the expo. A total of ten farmers received honours.

Farmer Anisur Rahman from Joypurhat said such expo should be held at upazila level. And they need seeds of exportable potatoes.

Miss Shao, Bohui Group, Chairwoman of the Board, China and Mohammad Yunus, Vice President of BCSA, Ataus Sopan Malik, managing director of AR Malik Seeds Pvt Ltd also spoke there.