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Potato prices have moved up by Rs 20-30 a quintal in West Bengal, this week, as traders and retailers are busy stockpiling for the festive season.
West Bengal will celebrate week-long Durga Puja festival, beginning October 10.
According to Patit Paban De, Member of the West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA), potato prices have moved up from Rs 440-460 till a week ago, to Rs 460-480 since Sunday.
The current rise in price, however, will not be enough for farmers to recover costs.
According to De, production cost – including storage rentals and finance cost – stand at nearly Rs 500 a quintal (Rs 5 a kg).
“Prices should further rise by at least Rs 20 a quintal to help farmers recover cost,” he added.
Potato prices are ruling nearly 30 per cent lower this year when compared to the same period last year.
Stock
A better demand ahead of the festival is also helping farmers to clear stock of potato from the 425 cold storages in the State. Of the 60 lakh tonnes of potato stored this year, 63-64 per cent of the stock is cleared so far.
According to De, this year’s clearance so far is almost at par with the corresponding period last year.
Besides, there are clear indications now that demand from South India to be maintained this year.
South India, especially Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, purchased 1.5-2 lakh tonnes potatoes from West Bengal last year.
The rise in price at the farmers’ end has impacted the market price. After buying Jyothi variety potato from farmers in Hooghly at Rs 460-480, the traders are selling it at Rs 660-780 (Rs 640-760 during mid-September).
It, however, has a reverse effect on the final price at which consumers are buying potato.
According to Kartik Halder, a vendor at a market at New Garia, is selling Jyothi variety at Rs 10 a kg, a sharp decline over last month (when consumer price was ruling at Rs 12).
ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in
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