Potato prices surge to Rs 40/kg in capital’s markets
Bhubaneswar: Potato price soared in city markets on Monday, adding pressure to household budgets and making the essential kitchen staple even more expensive. Vendors are now selling potato at Rs 40 per kilo, a significant increase from last week’s price of Rs 30-33 per kg.
The sudden rise in price left many residents worried. “Last week, I bought potatoes for Rs 33 per kg. Now, the same shopkeeper is charging Rs 40. How are middle-class families supposed to manage budgets with such frequent price rise?” questioned Sarita Mohanty, a homemaker from Nayapalli.
Vendors, however, blamed supply issues and delay in the harvest of the new crop for rise in price. “The wholesale prices increased due to a shortage of supply from West Bengal, one of the major potato-producing states. Transportation costs also rose,” said Ramesh Sahu, a vegetable vendor at Unit I market.
Vendors said the price of a 40-kg packet increased to Rs 1,200 from Rs 800 last week. Similarly, the price of a 50-kg packet increased to Rs 1,400.
Food supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra said steps are being taken to address the issue. “We are closely monitoring the situation. This year, govt has targeted to produce 6 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes, while the state requires around 14 lakh MT.”
The sudden rise in price left many residents worried. “Last week, I bought potatoes for Rs 33 per kg. Now, the same shopkeeper is charging Rs 40. How are middle-class families supposed to manage budgets with such frequent price rise?” questioned Sarita Mohanty, a homemaker from Nayapalli.
Vendors, however, blamed supply issues and delay in the harvest of the new crop for rise in price. “The wholesale prices increased due to a shortage of supply from West Bengal, one of the major potato-producing states. Transportation costs also rose,” said Ramesh Sahu, a vegetable vendor at Unit I market.
Vendors said the price of a 40-kg packet increased to Rs 1,200 from Rs 800 last week. Similarly, the price of a 50-kg packet increased to Rs 1,400.
Food supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra said steps are being taken to address the issue. “We are closely monitoring the situation. This year, govt has targeted to produce 6 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes, while the state requires around 14 lakh MT.”
