National export of potatoes almost stopped since the end of March, 2021 due to non-availability of export suitable varieties.
The major variety, Diamant, now under mass scale production in the country is very much prone to "Hollow Heart" -a disqualifying internal crater not visible externally, is found unacceptable in export market.
The exporters are stated to have incurred huge financial losses due to presence of this unacceptable malaise in export consignments with Diamant potatoes, said a press release, sent by Bangladesh Potato Exporters Association.
It mentioned that now the exporters are unable to export potatoes as per export contract solely due to non-availability of exportable potato varieties.
This is eroding the relations of Bangladeshi exporters with foreign buyers to affect future export.
The country so far exported only 41,000 tons in this year as against export of 102,000 in 2013-14. The export fell down sharply to one third in one year in 2014-15 and since then remained sub-optimally at 50% due to shortage of export suitable potato varieties.
The shortage of export suitable varieties may continue to affect potato export unless competitiveness of Bangladeshi potatoes is not revived through incorporation of suitable varieties in the national production system of potatoes.
