Sri Lanka Eyes Potato, Onion Imports From Bangladesh

Sri Lanka has expressed interest in importing potatoes and onions from Bangladesh, prompting Dhaka to plan a trade delegation to the island nation to assess market demand and export opportunities.

The issue was discussed at a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh’s Commerce, Industry, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Sri Lankan Minister of Trade, Commercial Activities, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe on Thursday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 11th Belt and Road Summit 2026 in Hong Kong.

The two ministers discussed Bangladesh’s agricultural production capacity, potato prices in Sri Lanka and challenges affecting regional supply chains.

Samarasinghe expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in importing potatoes and onions from Bangladesh, saying stronger regional trade could benefit people across the region.

In response, Bangladesh will send a trade delegation, including representatives of the Potato Association, to Sri Lanka to assess demand, market prices and commercial prospects for Bangladeshi potatoes.

The delegation is expected to meet local traders, food processors and business associations to explore potential export opportunities.

Muktadir said Bangladesh has a significant surplus of potatoes and onions after meeting domestic demand, making it necessary to develop new overseas markets for the commodities.

New potatoes are currently selling for around Tk 25–30 per kilogram in Bangladesh’s retail market, he said, adding that the country’s relatively low production costs and competitive prices could make Bangladeshi potatoes attractive in Sri Lanka.

The minister also urged Bangladesh’s private sector to establish a long-term presence in the Sri Lankan market.

He said maintaining a steady supply of quality products throughout the year at competitive prices would be essential for sustaining the export market. The possibility of developing warehousing and other logistical facilities in Sri Lanka could also be examined if necessary, he added.

The initiative could create a new export destination for Bangladeshi agricultural products, potentially helping farmers secure better prices while giving Sri Lankan consumers access to competitively priced potatoes.

Bangladesh is the world’s seventh-largest potato producer, with annual production of around 10.6 million tonnes against domestic demand of 8.5–9 million tonnes, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Bangladesh Cold Storage Association estimates that the country has the capacity to export 500,000 to 1 million tonnes of potatoes annually.