New potatoes have made their debut in Firozabad’s market, with retail prices ranging from Rs. 45 to 50 per kilogram, while wholesale prices stand at Rs. 35 per kilogram. The arrival of new potatoes has sparked increased demand, despite their premium pricing.
The new potato supply is currently sourced from Punjab and southern states’ markets, contributing to the higher prices. Local farmers’ produce is expected to reach the market in about 15 days, according to market sources at Kotla Road’s new vegetable market.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Verma, District Horticulture Officer, reports that potato cultivation area has expanded to 70,000 hectares this year, marking a significant increase of 10,000 hectares. This expansion is attributed to favorable market prices over the past two years.
While cold storage facilities retain only 10% of their old potato stock, these stocks continue to fetch reasonable prices in the market, particularly due to their use in various purposes. Karunanidhi Garg, manager of Pankaj Cold Store, confirms that most farmers have already withdrawn their stored potatoes due to good market prices, with the remaining 4,000 packets expected to be cleared within a week.
Dharmendra Singh, a commission agent, notes that while new potatoes are gaining consumer preference, their high prices make them less accessible to lower-income groups. However, he remains optimistic about farmers’ prospects, stating that they are unlikely to face losses this season.
The local potato harvest is anticipated to begin in the first week of December, which could help stabilize market prices and increase availability for all consumer segments.
