Potato prices skyrocket in Odisha

Bhubaneswar/Balasore/Cuttack: Earlier this month, the prices of potato in Odisha were around Rs 8 per kg and within a matter of days they have skyrocketed to Rs 15. The steep rise in potato prices has directly affected the middle and lower class consumers of the State. Consumers in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar are already limiting their purchases of the tuber.

However, the traders association has said that the price rise is a temporary phenomenon and prices will normalise soon.

On the other hand, the greengrocers have informed that potato cultivation has declined by 20% this season in the state leading to a crisis-like situation. Moreover, adverse climatic conditions in neighbouring state of West Bengal, from where Odisha imports potato, have also affected potato production there.

“Supply has also been hit due to logistical problems as huge number of vehicles is being engaged in the political rallies in the ongoing polls,”   said Soubhagya Ranjan Sahoo, a potato trader from Balasore.

“Ten to fifteen per cent of potato was damaged due to rain in West Bengal,” said Sudhakar Panda, the secretary of Odisha Traders’ Association. However, the prices will not rise further, Panda assured.

It is being expected that the potato prices will remain high for a few more days till the end of the general elections.