Heatwaves are sweeping across Hili of Dinajpur, potatoes imported from India are not selling because of high prices and a lack of consumers brought on by the extreme heat, and the potatoes are rotting in the heat.
The importers of the Hili land port of Hakimpur, Dinajpur are in trouble. A huge amount of potatoes have to be thrown away every day. The traders are suffering huge losses. Meanwhile, the people around are in trouble due to the stench of rotten potatoes.
Sirajul Islam, manager of Rahim Traders warehouse said: “Importers are importing potatoes from India to keep the supply of potatoes normal and the price under control in the country's market and in the hope of profit as the price in India is slightly lower and there is demand in the domestic market.
“Not much is being sold as the price of imported potatoes is still a bit high. Wholesalers are not coming properly. Because of this the importers have been released and kept in their warehouses as they are not sold at the port,” he added.
Ratan Sarkar, manager of MR Traders, said, "Katinal potato was being sold at Tk37 to Tk39 per kg at the port. But a huge number of potato sacks have to be thrown away every day due to the rotting of potatoes in the warehouse.
“Not only is it wasted in the warehouse,. 2-3 tons are wasted in the truck while bringing it from India. This time we have to face losses by importing potatoes,” he added.
Yasin Ali, a shopkeeper next to the warehouse, said: "For the past few days, I have not been able to sit in the shop because of the smell of potatoes.”
Rahela Bewa, who is engaged in sorting potatoes, said: “Potatoes are rotting in the warehouse. We are sorting potatoes in those warehouses. Sorting out rotten potatoes from the sacks and keeping the good ones. By doing this work all day, we get Tk200.”
Sohrab Hossain, public relations officer of Hili land port said: “Potato import continues through Hili land port. Since potatoes are raw and perishable, the port authorities have made all arrangements so that they can be released quickly after the customs process.”
Tofazzal Hossain, in-charge of the Meteorological Department, Dinajpur, said: "The temperature in Dinajpur region has been in the range of 39 to 40°C for the last three days. Temperature will remain like this for the next few days.
“Mainly because of the humidity of the air the amount of water vapor is relatively high and the speed of the wind is low, the heat is felt a little more,” he added.