UNB :
Aiming to rein in the runaway price of potatoes, the government has approved the import of 34,000 metric tons of potatoes through the Hili land port from India.
Yusuf Ali, deputy assistant officer of the plant contamination control centre at Hili land port, said the government has decided to import potatoes to control the soaring price of the vegetable.
49 traders, who received prior approval, will be able to start importing the potatoes from Saturday or Sunday, Yusuf Ali added.
Shahidul Islam, one of the approved traders, said potatoes are being sold for Tk 40-45 per kg at the retail level, which is abnormally high for this time of year. Considering the current situation, the government decided to allow import to gain some control over the price ahead of Ramadan.
He also hoped that the price of potatoes would come down once the potatoes from India arrive in the markets.