Potato sells at Rs 70 a kg

Potato sells at Rs 70 a kg
x
Highlights

Potato Sells at `70 a kg, Export of Potatoes from the State. They were hot potatoes all right, sold at a never-before-rate as high as Rs.40 a kg in the City market on Monday and in Vizianagaram market it was Rs 70 a kg.

  • Reason attributed to ban on exports by West Bengal government
  • Price in Vizag touches `40
  • Demand high in ‘Kartika Masam’

They were hot potatoes all right, sold at a never-before-rate as high as Rs.40 a kg in the City market on Monday and in Vizianagaram market it was Rs 70 a kg.

The reason for the sudden price rise was said to be the ban imposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the export of potatoes from the State to the neighbouring states to ensure that it would not be scarce before the general elections not far away. Observers said she wanted sufficient stocks made available so that the price would not escalate.

Most potato stocks arrive in Odisha and in north Andhra Coastal districts from West Bengal. Even though, the crop is raised in Araku Valley, it does not even meet ten percent of the demand. Last week, potatoes were sold at Rs 10 – 12 a kg.

The demand for the vegetable is normally high, but it has further increased in the current month of Kartika, as many people observe austerities and follow a strict vegetarian diet. With shortage of stock, the price is likely to go up in the coming days, it is feared. The Rythu Bazaars at MVP Colony, Seethammadhara, Narasimhanagar and other places find the potato and onion counters always crowded. During Kartikam, some shun onion. Hence, the demand for potato automatically went up. Potato is sold at a higher price in the neighboring Vizianagaram district. Though the Rythu Bazaars quoted Rs 40 a kg, it was sold at Rs 70 in the open market there. In Srikakulam too, the price hovered around Rs 40 a kg.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS