468-tonne Indian potatoes bought at Tk28 per kg

For the first time, 468 metric tons of potatoes have been imported to Bangladesh via a cargo wagon train from India’s Punjab through the Benapole port on late night Thursday.

Parvina Khatun, Assistant Station Master at Benapole Railway Station, confirmed the matter on Friday (Dec 13).

The cargo train carried 9,460 bags of potatoes. The shipment's import value is $107,640, with a price of Tk 27.60 per kg.

The consignment would be unloaded Saturday, after port authorities give clearance, said Nazmul Arefin Jony, a representative from the cargo forwarding company Alam and Sons, on Friday.

Abu Taher, a revenue official at the Cargo Branch of Benapole Customs House, said: “The consignment of potatoes arrived from Jalandhar in Punjab. Once the importer submits the required documentation, the clearance process will be expedited.”

The train carrying 21 wagons loaded with 468 metric tons of potatoes would be unloaded at the rail station in Benapole or in Noapara.

Later, the potatoes would be sent to wholesale markets in Dhaka, Chattogram and other areas.

Chapainawabganj's Tata Traders has imported the potatoes from India's Atif Export, which sourced the produce from Punjab state.