Early variety of potato being sold at Tk300 per kg in Bogura

New variety potatoes have arrived in the markets of Bogura. While they are attracting attention, the high price is preventing many buyers from purchasing them. Upon hearing the price, many customers are turning away. They are waiting for the price to drop before buying the new potatoes.

Vegetable traders report that new potatoes were harvested and brought to the city’s Fateh Ali Market on Friday, November 15. The potatoes are currently selling at 300 Taka per kg in the retail market. There is usually a high demand for new potatoes during the Nabanna (harvest) festival. Although the number of buyers is lower than usual, some are still purchasing the new potatoes.

Mehedi Hasan, a resident of the Khandar area of Bogura city, shared that he saw the new potatoes at the market and had the intention to buy them. However, due to the price of 300 Taka per kg, he couldn’t afford them. He eventually returned home with old potatoes instead.

On Saturday, November 16, at the Fateh Ali Market in Bogura, vegetable seller Naresh Saha observed that customers were leaving after hearing the price of the new potatoes. In just a few minutes, 12-15 potential buyers came to his shop but left without buying, solely because of the price.

Naresh Saha explained, "Once the price drops, people from all walks of life will be able to buy the new potatoes. Right now, the current market price is making it impossible for everyone to afford them."

In a conversation with several buyers, including Rakib Hasan and Nazrul Islam, they mentioned that while the high price of new potatoes is difficult, it could have been manageable if it weren’t for the overall rise in the cost of living. "Expenses are increasing every day, but incomes are stagnant. We can't afford new potatoes at this price right now. We'll buy them when the price comes down," they said.