Potato prices crash 50% to Rs 5-6 per kg in producing, consuming areas

22 Mar 2021 Evaluate

The government data has showed that potato prices in both producing and consuming areas across India crashed 50 per cent to Rs 5-6 per kg this year on account of good rabi (winter) crop. While consumers are getting potato, the key kitchen staple, at very low prices at present but farmers are struggling to even recover their production costs. As per the analysis of data on potato prices maintained by the Food Processing Ministry, the wholesale rates in 25 out of 60-odd key producing areas spread over Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar were ruling 50 per cent lower on March 20 when compared to the year-ago period.

In fact, wholesale prices of potato on March 20 were ruling below three years' average at Rs 6 per kg in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh as well as in Deesha, Gujarat. In the year-ago period, wholesale potato prices were at Rs 8-9 per kg on a lower side, only in some districts of Uttar Pradesh alone. Whereas in other states, the prices were above Rs 10 per kg and were quoting Rs up to 23 per kg in wholesale mandis.

Similarly in consuming areas, wholesale prices of potato on March 20 were ruling 50 per cent lower than the year-ago period in as many as 12 out of 16 consuming centres including Delhi tracked by the ministry. For instance, wholesale prices of potato were ruling as low as Rs 5 per kg in Amritsar (Punjab) and Delhi on March 20. The maximum price quoted for potato was Rs 17 per kg in Chennai. A similar trend was seen in retail markets.

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