 "Potato prices to stay firm for a while")
Potato prices are likely to remain firm till the new crop arrives, which is expected from Punjab by next month and in West Bengal by December. This year, prices have been high due to a 20 per cent shortage in production.
According to traders, production in UP was down 10-20 per cent and in Bengal by 20 per cent. In Bihar, third largest producer after UP and Bengal, it was down 10 per cent. This year, the sown area and and return are both expected to improve in Bengal.
In view of the shortage, the Bengal government has restricted the supply to other states to no more than 1,500 tonnes a day, against the requirement of 5,000 tonnes a day. Bengal caters to the entire eastern market and these are now being also served by supplies from UP and Punjab. The Bengal restrictions began in the first week of August,, as domestic wholesale prices went up from Rs 1,400 a quintal in the beginning of June to Rs 1,600 a qtl by the end of July.
According to traders, production in UP was down 10-20 per cent and in Bengal by 20 per cent. In Bihar, third largest producer after UP and Bengal, it was down 10 per cent. This year, the sown area and and return are both expected to improve in Bengal.
In view of the shortage, the Bengal government has restricted the supply to other states to no more than 1,500 tonnes a day, against the requirement of 5,000 tonnes a day. Bengal caters to the entire eastern market and these are now being also served by supplies from UP and Punjab. The Bengal restrictions began in the first week of August,, as domestic wholesale prices went up from Rs 1,400 a quintal in the beginning of June to Rs 1,600 a qtl by the end of July.