Farmers and traders in Thakurgaon are facing severe distress after failing to secure fair prices for their potato yield, with losses climbing to Tk 5–6 per kilogram. Anticipating better returns, growers had stored vast quantities in cold storages during the harvesting season when field prices hovered at Tk 10–12 per kg. However, with cumulative costs—including storage fees, transport, and handling—rising to Tk 19–20 per kg against a prevailing market price of just Tk 14, over 105,000 metric tonnes of potatoes remain stranded across 19 cold storages due to weak market demand.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), potatoes were cultivated on nearly 37,000 hectares in Thakurgaon this season—exceeding the target of 30,000 hectares—with early-variety potatoes accounting for 10,000 hectares. Despite a bumper harvest, low field-level prices prompted growers to opt for cold storage. However, sluggish demand across major wholesale markets has stalled inventory clearance, leaving nearly two-thirds of stored stocks untouched as the season nears its end.
Arman Hossain, a grower from Begunbari in Sadar Upazila, shared his ordeal: "I stored my produce hoping for fair compensation after poor field sales. Today, with storage rent and overheads, my cost per kg is Tk 19–20, but I am forced to sell at Tk 14. Covering such steep losses has become impossible."
Mohammad Wahab, a grower-trader from Ranisankail Upazila, warned of long-term damage to the local agrarian economy. "We have suffered heavy losses over the last two to three seasons by holding stock in cold storage, and this fourth consecutive slump has wiped out my capital. If growers cannot fetch fair prices, many will abandon potato farming altogether. Immediate government intervention is needed to stabilize market prices," he said.
Local trader Shamsujjoha from Krishnapur village noted that while cold storages usually clear out significantly during this period, sluggish market movement has kept the bulk of the yield locked in warehouses, raising fears of further financial deterioration if supply chains are not urgently mobilized.
Acknowledging the crisis, Mohammad Alamgir Kabir, Additional Deputy Director of Thakurgaon DAE, stated that farmers had preserved their produce expecting higher profit margins, but a widespread drop in market demand unexpectedly triggered the price crash.
To mitigate ongoing losses and ease pressure on domestic markets, affected growers and merchants are urgently calling on the government to open export channels and facilitate rapid nationwide distribution.
--Tarun Kanti, Thakurgaon
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), potatoes were cultivated on nearly 37,000 hectares in Thakurgaon this season—exceeding the target of 30,000 hectares—with early-variety potatoes accounting for 10,000 hectares. Despite a bumper harvest, low field-level prices prompted growers to opt for cold storage. However, sluggish demand across major wholesale markets has stalled inventory clearance, leaving nearly two-thirds of stored stocks untouched as the season nears its end.
Arman Hossain, a grower from Begunbari in Sadar Upazila, shared his ordeal: "I stored my produce hoping for fair compensation after poor field sales. Today, with storage rent and overheads, my cost per kg is Tk 19–20, but I am forced to sell at Tk 14. Covering such steep losses has become impossible."
Mohammad Wahab, a grower-trader from Ranisankail Upazila, warned of long-term damage to the local agrarian economy. "We have suffered heavy losses over the last two to three seasons by holding stock in cold storage, and this fourth consecutive slump has wiped out my capital. If growers cannot fetch fair prices, many will abandon potato farming altogether. Immediate government intervention is needed to stabilize market prices," he said.
Local trader Shamsujjoha from Krishnapur village noted that while cold storages usually clear out significantly during this period, sluggish market movement has kept the bulk of the yield locked in warehouses, raising fears of further financial deterioration if supply chains are not urgently mobilized.
Acknowledging the crisis, Mohammad Alamgir Kabir, Additional Deputy Director of Thakurgaon DAE, stated that farmers had preserved their produce expecting higher profit margins, but a widespread drop in market demand unexpectedly triggered the price crash.
To mitigate ongoing losses and ease pressure on domestic markets, affected growers and merchants are urgently calling on the government to open export channels and facilitate rapid nationwide distribution.
--Tarun Kanti, Thakurgaon