Potato prices dip in state,courtesy supply from Punjab

Supplies in bulk for the last one week have affected the prices. On an average,

25 to 30 trucks of potatoes from Punjab reach daily at the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) premises at Vasna,the biggest potato market in the state.

This has brought the prices down from Rs 200-290 per 20 kg to Rs 120-200 per 20 kg for the local varieties. The decline in wholesale rates has also reduced the prices in the retail market. Good quality potato is now available for a maximum of Rs 20 per kg against Rs 30 per kg sold a couple of weeks ago.

APMC official Chhatrasinh Chauhan said potato season is on in Punjab,while the new potato crop in Gujarat is still two months away. “As there is a huge demand in Gujarat and it would take another two months for harvesting of new crop,Punjab traders are getting good prices here and hence transporting their goods to Gujarat markets.”

However,onion prices have not changed despite arrival of new crop from Maharashtra and Saurashtra.

It is being sold at a rate of Rs 150-300 per 20 kg,which was the price two months ago. The reason for high onion prices is stated to be unseasonal rains in onion producing belt of Maharashtra and Karnataka,which spoiled a large tract of crop.