Potato market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Bangladesh experienced a slight contraction in physical volume between 2018 and 2020, settling around 9.6 million tonnes, while its monetary value climbed notably. This divergence was partly due to rising hydraulic fuel prices, which increased storage and transportation costs and pushed up consumer prices. The earlier adoption of new potato varieties in Rangpur had introduced earlier-season supply, but did not significantly alter total output.

From 2021 onward, market volume expanded consistently, surpassing 10.4 million tonnes by 2023. The growth was accelerated in 2023 when the National Board of Revenue slashed the import duty on potatoes from 25% to 15% and eliminated an additional regulatory duty. This measure boosted import volumes and enlarged overall supply. Concurrently, the government's announcement to procure 50 thousand tonnes at a supported price aimed to secure farmer incomes and stabilize domestic availability.

Into 2024, market dynamics remained influenced by cost pressures. Despite rising import figures, retail prices for new potatoes stayed elevated because of higher cold storage charges, sharp fuel price hikes, and reported syndicate operations that affected distribution efficiency. These elements underscored persistent structural issues in the supply chain.

Production potato in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh ranked as the world's seventh-largest potato producer.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Bangladesh's potato production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 606 K t of potatoes, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Potato production in Bangladesh increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 610 M $ US, representing a substantial 13.3% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 102 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 25.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports potato from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, potato exports from Bangladesh rebounded. In 2020, the country exported 60 566 t of potatoes, marking a sharp 53.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 8.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 39 362 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 27.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka were the top contributors to Bangladesh's potato exports in kind. Malaysia accounted for 55.0% of exports, Nepal for 18.9%, and Sri Lanka for 11.2%, together making up 85.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.8-fold increase between these years. In 2020, exported potato volumes from Bangladesh stood at 16 456 K $ US, up by 75.2% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 393 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 24.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Nepal, and Singapore formed the core of Bangladesh's potato exports in value terms. Malaysia contributed 57.0% of exports, Nepal 13.1%, and Singapore 10.0%, together accounting for 80.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bangladesh imported 8 429 t of potatoes, up by 159.5% from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 248 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 31.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, potato imports to Bangladesh were almost exclusively supplied by the Netherlands, which accounted for 94.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Imports dropped to their minimum in 2019 and rose to their maximum in 2020, showing a 2.5-fold variation. In 2020, Bangladesh's potato import volume registered 6 533 K $ US, which is 152.0% higher than the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 593 K $ US, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 31.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands effectively monopolized potato imports to Bangladesh in value terms, taking 95.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020