The Bhutanese Leading the way.
With 930.9 metric tonnes of potatoes currently remaining in Phobjikha and Gangtey, the government has announced a distribution plan targeting schools and Gyalsung Academies. To address broader market gluts, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) is also exploring options for the export of high-quality seed potatoes to Bangladesh under the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
MoAL outlines next steps that will be taken to stabilize and address Bhutan’s growing potato market through institutional supply, market linkages, and monitoring and market support.
A senior official from the MoAL said, “Potatoes will be supplied to schools, and Gyalsung Academies, particularly when schools reopen in February 2026. Continuous coordination is being maintained with potato wholesalers in Thimphu and other large domestic markets to facilitate the distribution and sale of remaining stocks.”
“The ministry will continue close monitoring of stock levels, market conditions, and price trends to adjust interventions as needed,” he added.
The ministry once mentioned that it has future plans to export potatoes to neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh. However, reports show that Bangladesh is experiencing an exponential “potato boom”, leading to high yields.
This raises a question as to whether the government is taking realistic measures and strategies in its approach.
According to international sources (LiveJournal), In the year 2024-25, Bangladesh saw a potato production boom, reaching a record-high yield of 11.5 million tonnes of potatoes.
A senior official from MoAL clarifies that the ministry has plans to explore the export opportunities to Bangladesh focused on seed potatoes, not table potatoes. Seed potatoes fall under the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bhutan and Bangladesh, whereas table potatoes do not.
Bangladesh’s current surplus largely pertains to table potatoes, while demand for quality seed potatoes remains a separate and specialized market segment.
For clearer understanding, seed potatoes are potatoes specifically meant for planting to produce new crops. Table potatoes are potatoes meant for direct human consumption. The official says that Bhutan is looking into exporting high-grade seed potatoes.
“Bhutan’s high-altitude seed potatoes have comparative advantages in terms of disease resistance and quality. However, this initiative is still at an exploratory stage, and any export will depend on market demand, phytosanitary compliance, and commercial viability. The ministry remains open to diversifying export destinations where feasible, while prioritizing domestic market stabilization,” said the MoAL official.
