Bhubaneswar: Potato prices in Odisha are expected to drop soon, thanks to a massive shipment of 300 trucks loaded with the tuber from Uttar Pradesh. According to Food and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, the consignment will arrive in the state by tomorrow, which will stabilise market prices.
Currently, potatoes are being sold at Rs 35-40 per kilogram in retail markets. With the increased supply, prices are expected to dip further, bringing relief to citizens who have been grappling with high prices.
The government has also issued a warning to those involved in black marketing potatoes. Minister Patra criticized the West Bengal government for stopping potato transportation to Odisha, despite having a surplus of 2 lakh metric tonnes.
Odisha relies heavily on West Bengal for its potato supply, with the neighbouring state providing around 90% of the state’s potato needs. The disruption in supply from West Bengal led to a surge in potato prices from Rs 30 to Rs 40-50 in retail markets.
