Potato prices in India have dropped over 40 percent at primary agricultural markets in northern parts of the country in the last three weeks as the new crop has begun arriving. Subramani Mancombe reports for Moneycontrol.com.
Prices in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra markets have crashed below Rs 1,600 a quintal from around Rs 2,900-2750 on November 24-25. On December 14, potato at Fatehpur Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) market was quoting at Rs 1,550 a quintal against Rs 2,750 on November 26.
In Madhya Pradesh, prices in Indore district markets had declined to Rs 1,600 a quintal last weekend. In Punjab’s Jalandhar district, too, potato prices had dipped to Rs 1,600 during the weekend.
According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry, potato prices in Delhi have dropped to Rs 38 a kg on December 13 from Rs 45 on November 30, while in Mumbai they had slid to Rs 45 from Rs 52 during the same period.
Indore trader Agrawal said prices are expected to drop further with the potato crop arrivals expected to peak next month. “Arrivals will gather speed next month across the country,” he said.
Source: Moneycontrol.com