Higher pricing trend in potato is expected during the next four months, thanks to the rains and floods.
Market expert Sant Kumar Gautam says potato consumption would be on the higher side because of limited stock of fresh vegetables.
The good to heavy rains in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, besides the flood situation in Kerala have limited the availability of green vegetables.
According to Gautam, heavy rains and floods will impact the potato consumption on higher trend leading to demand and supply gap especially in southern region of the country.
It is interesting to note that the storage of potato was less initially at the time of harvest, compared to last year.
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The estimated average of potato storage across the country was 77 to 78 per cent as compared to last year.
The stored quantity includes the seed potato which is being used for further potato production.
In Karnataka, potato production stock is already exhausted and expected to cater just for another 10 to 15 days.
Gautam says potato planting is expected to be delayed in Punjab due to late maturity of paddy crop, adding that these factors will lead to increase in potato market prices in the coming days.
The current wholesale price of potato in the Delhi National Capital Region is about Rs.1600-2000 per quintal while in retail it is being sold at Rs.30 to 35 per kg, depending on varieties and production sources.