Dhaka, March 30 -- Traders have displayed a puzzling reluctance to import potatoes despite forecasts suggesting a potential decrease in domestic production this season, a situation economists believe could entice profiteers to capitalize on this commodity.

"One ploy is obvious from the designated importers' side: low profit margins and the beginning of arrivals of new harvest on the domestic market," highlights the concerns around importing potatoes.

In response to a sharp increase in potato prices, which soared to Tk 60-70 per kg, marking a new record, the government granted import permits (IPs) to traders for bringing in 0.159 million tonnes of this staple vegetable since late October 2023.

This initiative marked the first occasion t...