Bangladesh has produced a record 1.15 crore tonnes of potatoes this season, raising concerns of a major surplus as domestic demand falls far short of supply, according to estimates from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

Production rose 9% from last year’s 1.06 crore tonnes, driven by an 8% expansion in cultivation area and favourable weather. Farmers planted potatoes on 4.92 lakh hectares in 2024-25, BBS said.

The country’s annual demand, including seed use, stands at just over 90 lakh tonnes, leaving at least 25 lakh tonnes in excess, according to the Tuber Crop Research Centre (TRC) and the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA).

Cold storages currently hold 29 lakh tonnes, while only 4 lakh tonnes have been released so far, said BCSA President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu. “With only three and a half months left in the season, a large portion will remain surplus,” he warned.

Potato prices have slumped amid the glut. Farmers are selling at Tk 14–15 per kg against production costs of Tk 25–27, while retail prices in Dhaka range between Tk 25–30 per kg 48% lower than a year ago, according to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.

Exports remain marginal at 62,000 tonnes in 2024-25. Industry leaders fear farmers will face steep losses unless demand rises. The BCSA has urged the government to add potatoes to social safety net schemes, suggesting each household receive 10 kg under food support programmes.