The government has authorized the import of 34,000 tons of potatoes from India via the Hili land port in an effort to control the soaring price of potatoes.
The government has chosen to import potatoes in order to contain the rising cost of the produce, according to Yusuf Ali, deputy assistant officer of the Plant Contamination Control Centre at Hili Land Port, who spoke with UNB.
He said that starting on Saturday or Sunday, 49 traders will be able to begin importing the potatoes.
Shahidul Islam, one of the approved traders, said potatoes are being sold for Tk40-45 per kg at the retail level, which is abnormally high for this time of year. Considering the current situation, the government decided to allow imports to gain some control over the price ahead of Ramadan.
He also hoped that the price of potatoes would come down once the potatoes from India arrived in the markets.
