Potato imports through the Hili land port in Bangladesh have come to a halt as the government of West Bengal in India, has ceased online slot booking for potato exports.
On Monday (December 2), no potato-laden trucks crossed the border via Hili land port, according to local importers. However, other imports, including onions, continued without interruption. On Sunday (December 1), only six trucks of potatoes, booked in advance, were imported into Bangladesh.
Nur Islam, an importer at Hili land port, explained that Indian potatoes are in high demand in Bangladesh, prompting local businesses to import them. However, the cessation of slot bookings by the West Bengal government has disrupted imports. He added, "If slot booking does not resume, imports will remain halted. Although the immediate impact might cause slight price hikes in the retail market, domestic potatoes will soon hit the market and stabilize prices."
S.M. Reza Bipul, Joint General Secretary of the Hili C&F Agents Association, expressed concern over the situation. "Many of our traders have already opened Letters of Credit (LC) for potato imports. This sudden halt could result in significant financial losses for importers and an increase in potato prices in the local market," he said.
The impact of the export halt is already visible, with previously imported Diamond potatoes being sold at Tk 51-55 per kg and Asterix potatoes at Tk 60-61 per kg.
Sakhawat Hossain Shiplu, President of the Hili Import-Export Group, mentioned, "The suspension of online slot booking has caused financial strain for traders and created instability in the local potato market."
Meanwhile, Assistant Revenue Officer Nazmul Hossain of Hili Customs assured that customs officials are facilitating the swift clearance of all imported perishable goods. Over the weekend, Hili port cleared 923 metric tons of onions in 32 trucks and 2,035 metric tons of potatoes in 66 trucks.
The situation remains uncertain as importers await the resumption of slot bookings for Indian potato exports.
