Odisha likely to procure potatoes from Punjab amid inadequate supply from Bengal
The price of potatoes increased in Odisha due to 'inadequate' supply from neighbouring West Bengal as the Mamata government curbed the import of tuber to the neighbouring state.
Arpit Pattnaik
Due to a shortage of potatoes in the state, the Odisha government is considering procuring potatoes from Punjab. This move is aimed at increasing the supply of potatoes and lowering their prices, according to a statement by a minister.
Potatoes are priced at Rs 45 per kilogram in Odisha.
Despite numerous attempts to lower potato prices, they remained high at Rs 45 per kg in Odisha. The state has started procuring potatoes from Uttar Pradesh and is considering importing from Punjab if necessary. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra stated that the allegation that potatoes from UP are of inferior quality compared to those from West Bengal is untrue. He emphasized that the UP potatoes are better and that the price difference is only Re 1 due to transportation costs. Potatoes from both UP and West Bengal are selling at Rs 40 per kilogram in Chhatra Bazar, a major wholesale market in Cuttack. Despite Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi requesting West Bengal to streamline potato supply to the state, high prices continue due to erratic supply from West Bengal.
