Proposal Aims to Stabilize Soaring Potato Prices in West Bengal
The West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA) has proposed a strategic solution to the state government to counteract the soaring retail prices of potatoes. The association has offered to supply potatoes at Rs 26 per kilogram, significantly lower than the current market rate of Rs 37-40 per kilogram. This initiative includes supplying potatoes of a minimum 35mm size from the cold storage facilities of their Hooghly unit directly to Sufal Bangla at Rs 1,300 per 50 kg packet.
Currently, the cold storage price for potatoes is marked at Rs 28-29 per kilogram. WBCSA has communicated its capacity to supply approximately 3 lakh quintals daily, which constitutes about 30% of Kolkata’s daily potato requirement. This substantial offer aims to mitigate the impact of high vegetable prices on consumers.
In response to these high prices, the state has implemented measures such as selling potatoes and onions at subsidized rates through Sufal Bangla outlets, with the recent opening of 25 new outlets to increase accessibility. The high prices are partly due to reduced production and quality issues stemming from adverse weather conditions, leading to a significant portion of the potato stock being of very small size or wasted.
Despite a recorded cold storage stock of 45 lakh tonnes, effective availability is estimated to be 30% less due to these quality issues. The situation is further exacerbated by a national production shortfall, resulting in a doubled proportion of small-sized potatoes compared to the previous year.
To address these challenges, the state government, under the directive of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is taking actions including market inspections by the Agriculture Task Force and the Enforcement Department to curb hoarding and price manipulation. These efforts aim to stabilize the market, with a resolution targeted for the end of the week.
