Potato gets dearer in Mumbai

Mumbaikars seem to have no relief yet from the devastating floods in July. Prices of many important food ingredients have gone through the roof. Onion was the first in the series to make the city dwellers pay through their nose. Now it is the turn of the humble potato.

Just a week ago, potato prices in the retail market across the city were hovering around Rs 10 a kg. However, the prices have now shot up to Rs 20 per kg. And in some cases even Rs 30.

"After Dussehera, Mumbai gets potato from places such as Mahabaleshwar and Talegaon. However, the rains have destroyed almost 60-70 per cent of the crop in Mahabaleshwar and 30-40 per cent in Talegaon, resulting in the prices going through the roof," said Ashok Walunj, director-potato and onion markets, APMC.

Last week, wholesale prices were in the range of Rs 5 to 7 per kg, which, Walunj said, has reached Rs 8-10 per kg this week. "There has been a 20 per cent hike on wholesale price," added Walunj. However, retail prices are scaling new heights.

On prices coming to the normal level, Walunj said that there may not be any decline at least for a month.

Apart from Maharashtra, Mumbai gets its supplies from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. "However, supplies from these states start in January, so at this point of time we cannot get from there," said Walunj.