Potato farmers have been advised to store the harvested produce and offload the stuff in July, when the prices are expected to move up.
Experts at the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell functioning at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here foresee an increase of Rs 3-4 per kg of potato in July from the present rate of Rs 24/kg.
Their advice is based on an analysis of price movement in the Mettupalayam market.
According to the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, the area and production of potato in Tamil Nadu during 2011-12 was 4,910 hectares and 1.05 lakh tonnes, respectively.
Exports in 2012-13 were down by 26 per cent at 74,635 tonnes.
In Neerbogam season, potato is sown in February and harvested during May-June. At the auction centre at Mettupalayam, potato is currently auctioned at Rs 2,000-2,100 a quintal.
Reduction in planting area coupled with drought conditions might results in lesser arrivals and higher prices of potato in the Mettupalayam market, the farm varsity sources said.