Harvest delay, export push up potato prices

KOLKATA | AHMEDABAD: Potato prices have appreciated by 25% in the last fortnight, following exports to Russia and South Asian nations from Punjab and a delay in harvest in Bengal.

In Punjab, the price is set to touch Rs 5 per kg. In Bengal, retail prices of the Jyoti variety have gone up to Rs 6 per kg from Rs 5 a fortnight ago, while the Chandramukhi variety is costlier by 25% at Rs 8 per kg.

Padam Bhushan, a commission agent at Delhi’s Azadpur mandi, said wholesale prices were ruling between Rs 2.50 and Rs 5.50 a kg. “We expect an incease in prices by Rs 1 a kg in a fortnight, owing to huge demand from domestic and export markets,” he said.
Over 100 trucks, each carrying 10 tonne potato, are arriving at the markets from Uttar Pradesh where a bumper crop is expected. In Punjab and Haryana, 70% of the crop has been havested due to delays caused by recent rains and hail.

“Prices have firmed up and we are getting huge orders from Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Malaysia and Russia,” said Jalandhar-based Confederation of Potato Seed Farmers (POSCON) chief Sukhjit Bhatti.

Sanatan Santra, president of West Bengal Progressive Potato Traders Association, said: “Last year, farmers had suffered a loss due to oversupply. This year, they are treading a cautious path and are on a wait-and-watch mode. Stockists, on the other hand, are keen to buy potatoe, which is pushing up prices.

Moreover, there has been some delay in the arrival of potatoe as the crop is not yet ready due to the prevailing cold in Bengal. It is expected that the flow will improve from second week of March. All these market forces have contributed to the spurt in prices.”