Online Desk: The government has instructed the deputy commissioners (DCs) to ensure implementation of the cold storage-level potato price regulations in an effort to stabilise the volatile potato market.

The directive will come into effect today (Wednesday) across the country, according to an official order issued by the commerce ministry on Tuesday.

Instructions were also given to deploy an official at each cold storage at the district level during the sale of the commodity to check whether the item is being sold at the government-fixed price.

The cold storages must also provide valid receipts to buyers or traders, according to the order. The decision was taken as per the section 3(2) (E) under the Control of Essential Commodities Act-1956.

In September 14 last, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi fixed the prices of potato in consultation with the stakeholders of the agriculture ministry.

On the same day, the commerce minister urged the traders to sell potato at Tk 26-27 a kg at the wholesale level and Tk 35-36 a kg at the retail level.

Yet, the key essential is being sold at prices higher than the government-fixed prices at both wholesale and retail levels.

The government has also decided to allow potato import aiming to control the soaring prices of the widely consumed item, according to a statement.

The widely consumed goods are being sold at more than government set price at both the wholesale and retail levels.

On Tuesday last, the item was sold at Tk60-70 per kg in the retail market.

The commerce ministry has asked the authority concerned to take necessary steps to sell potato at the government set price at the cold storage level.

A source said the government will take austere steps including cancelling licence, imposing fine or sentencing jail if the item is not sold at the set prices.

The Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) data shows that all registered cold storages had 2.49 million tonnes of potato at the season’s beginning this year which was 2.70 million tonnes in 2022.

However, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) claimed potato production in FY ’23 was 11.2 million tonnes while the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) said it will be 10.4 million tonnes and BCSA claimed it will be 8.5 million tonnes.

Traders who stored potato in the cold storages are responsible for the price volatility in the markets, Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) claimed on Tuesday, saying they thought stock of the commodity was lower than the country’s demand.

Currently, there are around 411 cold storages under the BCSA.