India: Potato prices soar as supplies from West Bengal dry up

Despite a fresh crop arriving at the wholesale market in Vashi, retail prices of potatoes have failed to show a decline. Traders say that there is shortfall of around 30% and this is due to scant supply from West Bengal, the second largest producer of the staple. “Other vegetable prices have come down a bit. But, potato continues to soar,” said Manasi Sinha, a housewife from Vashi. She added that potato is one of the essential vegetables that is consumed every day. According to traders, there is a possibility of potato prices coming down if supply from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh became normal. In these two states, the output of potato has fallen by around 10-15%, and the impact is being seen through increasing prices. More