Govt pushes potato exports to clear surplus stocks

The federal government has moved to accelerate potato exports to manage surplus stocks and prevent distress sales by farmers, as freight and logistics challenges continue to hamper shipments.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain chaired the second meeting of the Committee on Potato Export to review production levels, surplus volumes and export facilitation measures, according to a statement issued by the ministry on Friday.

Senior officials of the ministry, representatives of provincial agriculture departments, exporters, logistics companies and other stakeholders attended the meeting. Participants were given a detailed assessment of the estimated surplus potato crop, along with an overview of traditional and emerging export markets.

During the discussion, participants highlighted key challenges affecting exports, including increased freight costs, logistical constraints, route-related issues and visa facilitation for transporters. The committee reviewed proposals for concessional freight rates, improved coordination with railways and logistics providers, and measures to streamline cross-border trade.

Hussain stressed the urgency of utilising the current export window, particularly for Central Asian markets, to ease domestic supply pressure and protect farmers from distress sales. He directed all concerned departments to expedite pending matters, resolve operational bottlenecks and ensure smooth movement of surplus stocks.

The minister said coordinated and time-bound interventions were necessary to protect growers' interests and enhance agricultural exports. He underscored the need for practical steps to address freight and route constraints so that exporters could respond effectively to demand in regional markets.

The government, he added, remained committed to supporting farmers and stabilising market prices through improved export facilitation and inter-departmental coordination.

The meeting concluded with a decision to closely monitor export trends and convene follow-up sessions to review progress on the agreed measures and assess the impact of facilitation steps on shipments and domestic market stability.