The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Rangpur

The traders and growers are reluctant to release their stocks of potato worth about Tk 10 million (one crore) from different cold storages in the district due to low price in the local markets.

They have stockpiled a huge quantity of potato at the cold storages but are now reluctant to release the stocks ignoring the notices issued by the owners of the cold storages.

In the meantime, the owners of the cold storages have declared that they would realize all dues, including storage charges, by selling the potatoes in auction if the traders and growers do not take delivery of their stocks from the cold storages within 15 days.

As there was bumper production of potato last season, traders and growers in the district have preserved huge quantity of potato in 22 cold storages beyond their storage capacity of 2.2 million (22 lakh) sacks.

Although the traders bought potato at over Tk 1000 per sack (84 kg) last season, but they could not even sell those at the purchase rate, some traders informed.

Potato trader Rafiqul Islam from Chhoto Kallani in Pirgachha upazila said he incurred a loss of about Tk 100,000 as he had to sell potatoes at Tk 200-300 below the purchase rate.

Many growers, who stockpiled their potatoes in the cold storages last year, are also reluctant to release those due to low price in the markets.

Potato growers Abdul Barek and Mostafizur Rahman of Pirgachha upazila said they did not take delivery of their potatoes for fear of heavy loss despite a notice from the cold storage owners to release their stocks.

Mostafa Afzal Chowdhury Babu, president of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and also owner of a cold storage, said more than 1.6 million (16 lakh) sacks of potato still remained stockpiled at different cold storages.