Potato prices in both producing and consuming areas all over India have crashed 50 per cent to ₹5-6 per kg this year on account of a good winter crop. While consumers are getting their potatoes at very low prices at present, farmers are struggling to even recover their production costs.
As per the analysis of data on potato prices maintained by the Food Processing Ministry, the wholesale rates in 25 out of 60-odd key producing areas spread over Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar were ruling 50% lower on March 20 when compared to the year-ago period.
In fact, wholesale prices of potato on March 20 were ruling below three years' average at ₹6 per kg in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh as well as in Deesha, Gujarat. One year ago, wholesale potato prices were at ₹8-9 per kg -on the lower side- only in some districts of Uttar Pradesh alone. Whereas in other states, the prices were above ₹10 per kg and were up to ₹23 per kg in wholesale mandis.
[₹100 = €1.10 ]
Source: livemint.com