Wholesale market traders have observed a 60% increase in potato prices over the past month, with expectations for further rises due to a significant drop in this year's potato cultivation. This decline in production is attributed to farmers reducing their cultivation after facing losses from overproduction last season.
Additionally, a shift towards garlic cultivation, driven by its price increase last year, has contributed to the reduced potato output. The APMC's administrative department reports that potato prices escalated from Rs 10 to 15 per kg in March to Rs 18 to 22 per kg by the second week of April. Retail prices have reached Rs 30 per kg.
A trader from the Onion-Potato market in Vashi anticipates a continued supply decrease. Currently, the market receives 35–40 trucks of potatoes mainly from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, with the significant supply reductions attributed to low production in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
[ Rs 100 = €1.10 ]
Source: lokmattimes.com