Harvest Losses
PROF. DR. FAISAL IQBAL JAFRI | PhD Botany, Plant Microbe Interaction
The ongoing potato crisis in Pakistan has captured widespread attention in recent weeks, highlighting deep-seated vulnerabilities in the country’s agricultural landscape. What began as a promising season of bumper harvests has quickly turned into a nightmare for farmers, with market prices collapsing to levels that fail to cover even basic production costs. The combination of record-breaking overproduction and the sudden closure of key export routes has created an unprecedented surplus, forcing growers to resort to desperate measures to dispose of their crops.
Punjab, which produces nearly 95% of Pakistan’s potatoes, is currently facing a severe agricultural crisis. Over the past few years, potato cultivation has expanded rapidly, from around 426,000 acres in 2019–20 to more than 1.1 million acres in the 2025–26 season.
This growth was driven by improved seed varieties, favorable weather, and farmers aiming for higher profits after previous successful seasons. In 2024–25, the cultivated area alone increased by 14%, producing approximately 9.4 million tonnes. This year, production is expected to exceed 11–12 million tonnes.
However, local demand remains limited at around 6–6.2 million tonnes annually, creating a huge surplus.
Export Disruptions Create Oversupply
The situation worsened when export routes were suddenly disrupted. In October 2025, border tensions led to the closure of key crossings at Torkham and Chaman, major trade routes to Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has traditionally been a key buyer, absorbing up to 40–58% of Pakistan’s potato exports. With this channel blocked, and transit routes to Central Asia and Russia also affected, a large portion of produce remained stuck in the country.
Potato Prices Collapse
Due to excess supply, potato prices have dropped drastically. Wholesale prices reportedly fell by over 70%, with 5kg bags selling for as low as Rs80 in late 2025.
Farmers in regions like Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Kasur are facing severe financial losses. Many are unable to recover basic costs such as seeds, fertilizers, fuel, and labor.
Storage and Processing Problems
Cold storage facilities have reached full capacity, leaving farmers with no place to store their crops. At the same time, Pakistan lacks sufficient food processing industries for products like chips, starch, or frozen fries.
This has eliminated alternative revenue streams, making the situation even worse.
Potatoes Turned into Animal Feed
With no buyers available, many farmers are forced to sell potatoes at extremely low prices or use them as livestock feed. In some cases, crops are left to rot in fields.
This represents a major waste of resources, including water, land, and labor, especially concerning in a country where food insecurity still exists.
Policy Failures and Weak Planning
The crisis highlights serious gaps in agricultural planning. While farmers were encouraged to increase production, there was little effort to:
- Expand export markets
- Build processing infrastructure
- Stabilize prices
Even though Pakistan is among the top potato-producing countries globally, it lacks strong trade agreements and diversified export routes.
Limited Alternative Markets
Efforts to export potatoes to Central Asia via Iran have faced challenges due to high transportation costs. Meanwhile, exploring new markets like the Middle East and Kazakhstan is still in early stages.
As a result, farmers continue to suffer without immediate relief.
A Repeating Pattern in Agriculture
This crisis reflects a common trend in Pakistan’s farming sector: when one crop becomes profitable, farmers rapidly shift toward it. This leads to overproduction, followed by price crashes.
Without proper planning, this boom-and-bust cycle continues to harm farmers.
The Way Forward
To prevent future crises, Pakistan needs long-term reforms, including:
- Diversifying export markets
- Investing in food processing industries
- Expanding cold storage facilities
- Introducing minimum support prices
- Providing export subsidies
Even if trade routes reopen, current production levels are too high to be absorbed easily.
Conclusion
Punjab’s potato crisis is a clear example of how rapid growth without planning can backfire. What was once a profitable crop has now become a burden for farmers.
Unless strong policy measures are taken, similar crises will continue to impact Pakistan’s agriculture sector. For now, the sight of potatoes being wasted or used as animal feed remains a powerful symbol of missed opportunities.
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