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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Potato distress sales fail to bring down price at Kolkata markets
Kolkata: Farmers across south Bengal are facing unprecedented distress as potato prices plummeted below production costs to as low as Rs 10 per kg, forcing them into distress sales, while retail prices in Kolkata remained largely unaffected at Rs 22-24. Despite the state's announcement of a minimum support price (MSP), the failure to implement it has plunged the potato economy — one of the pillars of Bengal's rural livelihood — into a deep crisis. Industry experts warn that the continued losses may drive farmers away from potato cultivation, triggering future supply disruptions and record-high prices. The West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA) raised the alarm, highlighting growing gap between wholesale and retail potato prices and its devastating impact on farmers and cold storage industry. According to Ramesh Periwal, executive member of WBCSA, a record 70.9 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes are stored in cold storage units across Bengal. Typically, 60% of the state's potato production is consumed locally, while 40% is traded across states. But the ban on inter-state potato movement last season led to about 10 lakh metric tonnes of early-variety potatoes being stored, leaving cold storages overstocked. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The state govt declared an MSP of Rs 9 per kg to stabilise prices, prompting farmers to sell part of their produce and store the rest. "Around 75%-80% of the current stock belongs to farmers. At the start of the unloading season in May 2025, wholesale prices matched the govt's announced rate of Rs 15 but dropped sharply within two weeks to Rs 11-12 per kg for premium varieties (Singur wholesale market, Hooghly) and Rs 9-10 per kg for average quality (Burwan, Bankura, Midnapore and north Bengal cold storages). Farmers are now incurring losses of Rs 400-500 per quintal," said WBCSA vice president Subhajit Saha. "There is serious apprehension that unless the situation improves, farmers will abandon potato cultivation, which will disrupt demand-supply dynamics and severely damage the rural economy," warned Sunil Kumar Rana, president of WBCSA. "We urge the govt to intervene with procurement at MSP, facilitate inter-state trade, and include potatoes in public welfare schemes such as mid-day meals." The state is considering steps to procure 15% of preserved stock at MSP, include potatoes in mid-day meals, promote inter-state and export trade, and offer transport subsidies to stabilise prices and boost consumption.
The Print
4 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Potato price crash threatens Rs 10,000 cr sector, says Bengal cold storage association
'The entire ecosystem of potato cultivation and storage is at risk,' he told reporters. WBCSA president Sunil Kumar Rana said the widening gap between wholesale and retail prices is putting immense pressure on farmers, who hold nearly 80 per cent of the potato stock stored this year. Kolkata, Jul 25 (PTI) The West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA) on Friday raised the alarm over a sharp drop in wholesale potato prices, warning of severe financial losses for farmers and cold storage operators, and calling for urgent state intervention to prevent a deeper rural economic crisis. This year, cold storages in West Bengal are holding a record 70.85 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes, including an additional 10 lakh tonnes of early variety, due to last season's ban on inter-state movement. Most storage units are now operating at full capacity. Association vice-president Subhajit Saha said wholesale price of the Jyoti variety, which was trading at Rs 15 per kg, the state-declared minimum support price (MSP), during the start of unloading in May, have since collapsed to Rs 9 per kg. 'Unless the government intervenes to ensure Rs 15/kg wholesale price, the rural economy will collapse and farmers will be discouraged from sowing next year,' Saha warned. He further alleged that the state government was yet to fulfil its March promise of procuring 11 lakh tonnes (or 2.2 crore packets) of potatoes from farmers. Farmers are now suffering losses of Rs 400-500 per quintal, particularly in districts like Burdwan, Bankura, Medinipur, and parts of North Bengal, where prices have dipped sharply at cold storage gates. WBCSA urged the state to step in with a set of corrective measures, including immediate procurement at MSP, revival of inter-state and international potato trade, and incorporation of potatoes into public welfare schemes such as mid-day meals. It also recommended introducing a transport subsidy to facilitate movement of stock outside the state. 'If these steps are not taken immediately, a demand-supply imbalance will occur, sowing will shrink, cold storages will remain underutilised, and the rural economy could face long-term damage,' Rana said. The association warned that without concrete policy support, the state's Rs 10,000-crore potato economy could face a cascading crisis, impacting farmers, storage units, and the broader rural economy. PTI BSM MNB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Potato price crash threatens ₹10,000 cr sector: Bengal cold storage body
The West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA) on Friday raised the alarm over a sharp drop in wholesale potato prices, warning of severe financial losses for farmers and cold storage operators, and calling for urgent state intervention to prevent a deeper rural economic crisis. WBCSA president Sunil Kumar Rana said the widening gap between wholesale and retail prices is putting immense pressure on farmers, who hold nearly 80 per cent of the potato stock stored this year. "The entire ecosystem of potato cultivation and storage is at risk," he told reporters. This year, cold storages in West Bengal are holding a record 70.85 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes, including an additional 10 lakh tonnes of early variety, due to last season's ban on inter-state movement. Most storage units are now operating at full capacity. Association vice-president Subhajit Saha said wholesale price of the Jyoti variety, which was trading at ₹15 per kg, the state-declared minimum support price (MSP), during the start of unloading in May, have since collapsed to ₹9 per kg. "Unless the government intervenes to ensure ₹15/kg wholesale price, the rural economy will collapse and farmers will be discouraged from sowing next year," Saha warned. He further alleged that the state government was yet to fulfil its March promise of procuring 11 lakh tonnes (or 2.2 crore packets) of potatoes from farmers. Farmers are now suffering losses of ₹400-500 per quintal, particularly in districts like Burdwan, Bankura, Medinipur, and parts of North Bengal, where prices have dipped sharply at cold storage gates. WBCSA urged the state to step in with a set of corrective measures, including immediate procurement at MSP, revival of inter-state and international potato trade, and incorporation of potatoes into public welfare schemes such as mid-day meals. It also recommended introducing a transport subsidy to facilitate movement of stock outside the state. "If these steps are not taken immediately, a demand-supply imbalance will occur, sowing will shrink, cold storages will remain underutilised, and the rural economy could face long-term damage," Rana said. The association warned that without concrete policy support, the state's ₹10,000-crore potato economy could face a cascading crisis, impacting farmers, storage units, and the broader rural economy.
