WBCSA Steps In to Curb Potato Prices Amid Market Surge

The West Bengal Cold Storage Association has proposed to supply potatoes to the state government at Rs 26 per kg to combat high retail prices. Despite cold storage indicating ample supply, adverse climate conditions and production shortfalls have driven prices up. The Agriculture Task Force is inspecting markets to address hoarding.

The West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA) has offered to supply potatoes to the state government at Rs 26 per kg amid high prices in the retail market, officials said on Wednesday.

Currently, potatoes are sold at Rs 37-40 per kg, depending on size. 'We have proposed supplying potatoes at Rs 1,300 per 50 kg packet (Rs 26 per kg) to Sufal Bangla, with a minimum size of 35mm. The price is ex-cold storage gate,' said an official from WBCSA's Hooghly unit.

The cold storage price is currently Rs 28-29 per kg. 'We cannot manage distribution ourselves but can arrange about 3 lakh quintals daily for the government, which is nearly 30% of Kolkata's daily need. The state administration has shown interest,' the official added. Most potatoes for Kolkata come from Hooghly.

Agricultural Marketing Minister Becharam Manna stated that Sufal Bangla outlets are selling 3 kg of potatoes and 1 kg of onions per family at Rs 29 and Rs 39 per kg, respectively.​ Twenty-five new outlets have been opened since last week. The price hike is attributed to low production, poor quality, and unfavourable climate conditions.

Despite cold storage indicating 45 lakh tonnes of potatoes, actual usable amount is 30% lower due to small-size varieties and wastage. The share of small-size potatoes has doubled compared to last year, and a national production shortfall has kept prices elevated. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed officials to address this within 10 days. The Agriculture Task Force and Enforcement Department are inspecting markets to curb hoarding and price manipulation, although prices have yet to stabilize.