Cold Stores Call for Electricity Tariff Cuts to Boost Exports

Bangla Press Desk:  Cold storage owners urged the government to provide a 20% discount on electricity bills and raise the cash incentive for potato exports from 10% to 30% to help the sector cope with falling potato prices.

The demands were made by the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) at a press conference at its office in Paltan, Dhaka on Saturday.

BCSA President Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said the industry was under mounting financial pressure due to depressed potato prices, rising electricity costs and persistent inflation.

The association also sought an increase in potato storage charges, currently fixed at Tk6.75 per kilogram, citing higher operating costs.

It urged Bangladesh Bank to recognise the cold storage industry as part of the agricultural sector and establish a Tk6,000-8,000 crore refinancing or special support fund, with loans available at a 5% interest rate.

Mostafa Azad said the existing 10% cash incentive for potato exports was inadequate and should be increased to 30% to encourage exports.

The association also requested that potato farmers be included in the Farmer Card programme so they can receive support for storing potatoes in cold storage facilities.

According to BCSA, more than two lakh tonnes of potatoes remained unsold in cold stores until January 2026 because of low market prices, depriving operators of storage income.

It also called for the inclusion of potatoes in the government’s Open Market Sale (OMS) and rationing programmes to boost domestic consumption.

According to BCSA data, Bangladesh produced more than 1.12 crore tonnes of potatoes in 2025, with output expected to reach nearly 1.15 crore tonnes this year.

Farmgate potato prices have dropped to between Tk5 and Tk9 per kilogram this year. Potatoes are being sold from cold stores at Tk12-18 per kilogram, while retail prices range between Tk18 and Tk30 per kilogram.