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Higher production has brought down potato prices in West Bengal by nearly Rs 100 a quintal over the last one month.
Wholesale price of the tuber (Pokhraj variety) is ruling around Rs 430-460 a quintal this week, down from Rs 500-550 in January-end.
According to Patit Paban De, member, West Bengal Cold Storage Association, loading of potatoes into cold storages will begin in early March and this is likely to keep prices steady around current levels.
The State is likely to produce 12 per cent higher crop at 95 lakh tonnes (lt) this year against 85 lt last year.
“The production is at a par with our expectations. Going by the current trend, we expect the production to be close to 95 lakh tonnes this year,” De told Business Line .
The most common Jyoti variety is yet make its appearance in the market.
The price of the tuber, however, is lower compared with Rs 600-650 a quintal recorded in February-end and early March last year. Prices were higher primarily on the back of lower production last year, he said.
Late Blight disease
The State, which recorded 4-5 per cent higher sowing this year, had expected to produce about one crore tonnes of potatoes. However, the production could be lower as some areas have been affected by late blight disease.
“The late blight disease can bring down potato production by about 4-5 per cent to 95 lt. However, it is still higher than last year,” he said.
Delayed loading
Loading of potatoes in cold storages, which usually begins by February 20, has been delayed this year as most storage units have been demanding for an increase in rentals.
This apart, the crop has also been slightly delayed on account of delayed rainfall.
The Cold Storage Association has called for a State-level general meeting on February 28 to discuss the rental issue and decide on a future course of action, he said.
Cold storages in the State have been complaining about the lack of hike in rentals over the past two years. This is even while operational costs for storage units have gone up by 40-50 per cent.
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