ISLAMABAD, March 20: The Ministry of Commerce is devising a mechanism for export of 0.26 million tons of surplus potatoes to provide protection to the growers in the wake of constant decline in price of the commodity.

Official sources told Dawn on Wednesday that the decision was taken following the demand from the growers, who were facing fluctuation in potato price in the domestic market, resulting in loss to them.

The growers urged the government to stabilize the local market and ensure better rate of returns to potato growers and added the government should immediately work out plan for export of surplus 0.26 million tons potatoes.

The total potatoes produced during 2002-03 (Autumn crop) was 1.69 million tons and the country consumption was 1.42 million tons, said the official.

The average potato price in the country ranged between Rs489 and Rs444 per 40 kg in October and November 2002, which further declined to Rs220 per 40 kg in January 2003, said the official.

It was expected that the price would further go down in view of higher size of crop during the current autumn season.

According to the official, the Ministry of Commerce had asked the Export Promotion Bureau and Pakistan Horticulture Export Board to work out shortly a plan for the export of the perishable commodity, which was subject to fluctuation of price in the local market, resulting in loss to the growers.

The officials said the Pakistani ambassadors to Thailand, New Delhi, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Nepal had been asked to explore possibilities for export of potatoes to these countries. The other countries for possible export of potatoes include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Oman and Indonesia, added the officials.

The province wise break-up of the potatoes production during the year 2002-03 showed that around 1.50 million tons were produced in Punjab; 0.01 million tons in Sindh; 0.13 million tons in NWFP; and 0.05 million tons in Balochistan.

The main producing areas for potatoes is Punjab, where it is stored in the cold storage and released during the off-season according to the demand and supply.