LAHORE — Punjab is set to record a bumper potato harvest of around 12 million metric tonnes this year, marking a 25 percent increase compared to last year’s production, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Tuesday.
Addressing concerns over a potential oversupply and declining farm-gate prices, the chief minister said the provincial government is working closely with the federal government to open new export markets to stabilise prices and ensure fair returns for farmers.
She said a breakthrough agreement has been reached with Kazakhstan, describing it as a significant first step towards absorbing surplus potato production. She added that efforts are also underway to secure access to additional international markets in the coming weeks.
Maryam Nawaz said the export initiative is aimed at preventing financial losses for growers by ensuring that excess produce is channelled to overseas markets instead of depressing domestic prices. She noted that timely exports would help maintain market balance during the peak harvest period.
Officials said the bumper harvest reflects improved agricultural practices and favourable growing conditions across the province. However, they stressed that proactive market management is essential to protect growers’ incomes and avoid post-harvest losses.
The Punjab government said it will continue coordinating with relevant federal authorities and trade bodies to facilitate exports and strengthen supply chains, particularly for perishable crops such as potatoes.
The chief minister reiterated that protecting farmers’ livelihoods remains a top priority of the provincial government, adding that effective policy measures are needed to balance higher production with market demand and support sustainable income growth for farmers across Punjab.
