Following the announcement by the West Bengal government to ban the export of potatoes and onions, Odisha is experiencing a surge in potato prices. This decision comes in the wake of reduced potato production in West Bengal, leading to a decrease in availability for neighboring Odisha, which relies heavily on imports from West Bengal. The immediate aftermath saw potato prices reaching approximately $0.48 per kg in Barabati market, Jajpur district, with onions priced at around $0.66 per kg, causing concern among consumers.
With the ban in place, numerous trucks loaded with potatoes were reported stranded near Belda, West Bengal. The West Bengal government attributes this export restriction to the lower production this year, aiming to stabilize the local market until the new harvest season in January and February. This is not the first instance of such a situation; a similar price hike occurred in August when exports were previously banned, pushing prices up to $0.72 per kg.
Source: Kalinga TV