Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Sunday said that potato prices in the state are likely to drop and stabilise as 300 trucks loaded with the tuber from Uttar Pradesh are going to be received soon.
Stating this on Sunday, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra told reporters that the consignment will arrive in the state by Monday. Once the consignment reaches, market prices will be stabilised.
Potatoes are no 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 criticised 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.
