Cold storage body offers potatoes at Rs 26 per kg to govt to stem prices

Kolkata: Officials stated that the West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA) has proposed selling potatoes to the state government at Rs 26 per kg in light of elevated prices in the retail market. Currently, potatoes are being retailed for Rs 37-40 per kg, with prices varying based on their size, reports indicate.

We have submitted a proposal to the state government to provide potatoes to Sufal Bangla at Rs 1,300 per 50 kg packet (Rs 26 per kg) with a minimum size of 35mm. An official of the Hooghly branch of the WBCSA mentioned that the price is quoted from ex-cold storage gate. The current price for cold storage is Rs 28-29 per kg.

We are unable to manage the distribution on our own. We can supply approximately 300,000 quintals daily to the government, fulfilling almost 30 pc of Kolkata's daily needs. An official stated that there was a meeting held on Tuesday with the state administration and they expressed interest. The majority of potatoes that reach Kolkata come from the Hooghly district.

Minister of Agriculture Marketing Becharam Manna stated that Sufal Bangla outlets owned by the state are offering 3 kg of potatoes and 1 kg of onions to each family at the prices of Rs 29 and Rs 39 per kg, respectively.He informed that 25 additional Sufal Bangla stores have started operating since the week before.

Industry sources said the expensive prices were due to poor quality and low production resulted from unfavorable weather conditions.

They said that although the cold storage data shows 45 lakh tonnes of potatoes, in reality, it is 30 pc less due to small size varieties and wastage. They stated that small-size potatoes make up twice as much of the share this year compared to last year, and mentioned that the overall national production deficit has caused prices to remain high.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee instructed the relevant officials to tackle the issue of expensive vegetables within a 10-day deadline, which expires this week. The Agriculture Task Force and Enforcement Department are conducting inspections at retail markets to deter hoarding and price manipulation. Nevertheless, there has been minimal impact as the prices have yet to decrease.