Potato prices in West Bengal dipped by nearly Rs 50 a quintal in the last one month on the back of improved supplies.
Wholesale price of the tuber (Jyoti variety) was ruling around Rs 800 a quintal in the first week of June, down from Rs 850 a quintal in mid-May.
According to Patit Paban De, member, West Bengal Cold Storage Association, nearly 12 per cent of the potatoes kept in cold storages have found their way into the market so far.
Close to 59 lakh tonnes of potatoes have been stored in the 425 odd cold storages in the State this year. “Usually, close to 15 per cent of the stock from cold storages are released into the market around this time of the year. But ,this year, the release has been lower as the process of unloading started a bit late,” De told
Demand
The demand for Bengal potatoes continues to be steady and this would keep the prices firm at current levels, De said.
West Bengal consumes around 50-55 lakh tonnes of potatoes produced; while nearly 40 per cent find its way into other States.
“So far, the demand has been good and Bengal potatoes are being transported to other states. “However, if for some reason, the movement of potatoes to other States is affected, then it can lead to a price crash as the production is also higher this year,” he said.