Potato and rice to remain costly till December

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

potato and rice are set to remain high till December, traders and farmers said. Potato sowing in UP, the largest producer, has been delayed by a fortnight due to untimely rains and the new crop will come to the market by December.

On the other hand, Cyclone Dana has damaged the standing paddy crop in West Bengal and Odisha. Rice prices have already jumped by up to 15% in the last fortnight after the government removed export curbs and may move up further for varieties like Gobindobhog and Swarna.

UP produces around 16 mt of potatoes annually while West Bengal cultivates around 9-10 mt. «This year, untimely rains have delayed potato sowing in most of UP. Generally, sowing starts from September 15. This year, however, it started by the end of September and early October. So, the crop will be delayed and arrive in the market slowly from the end November-early December. Prices, therefore, will remain firm till December,» said Ajay Sharma, a leading potato trader from Agra.