Potato traders to go on strike if Bengal doesn’t allow selling to other states

Potato traders in West Bengal have announced a strike set to begin Monday night, following the state government’s decision to halt potato exports to other states. This move was intended to stabilize local prices, but it has led to major disruptions in the potato market. The strike was confirmed after a meeting between the Potato Traders Association and the Cold Storage Owners Association. Lalu Mukhopadhyay, the state secretary of the Potato Traders Association, confirmed that the strike would proceed due to the ongoing difficulties caused by the export ban.

The export ban has resulted in a significant rise in local potato prices. Retail prices have reached Rs 35-40 per kg in local markets, despite wholesale prices being reported at Rs 27 per kg in Kolkata. This price surge has raised concerns about affordability for local consumers. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed concern over the rising prices, and Minister of State for Agriculture Marketing, Becharam Manna, held discussions with stakeholders, including traders, to address the situation. Manna proposed a cap on potato prices at Rs 30 per kg, but this has not been implemented in the market.

Following the government’s decision, police have intensified surveillance at inter-state borders to prevent potatoes from being transported out of the state. Several trucks carrying potatoes have been seized, resulting in delays and additional challenges for traders. Cold storage owners, who store a significant portion of the state's potato crop, have supported the strike. Shubojit Saha, state president of the Cold Storage Owners Association, warned that the export ban could harm farmers' incomes by restricting their ability to sell potatoes to other states.

The government has attributed the price hike to delayed potato cultivation, which it claims was caused by natural calamities. Despite this, traders argue that the export restrictions could further exacerbate the problem. Neighboring states that rely on West Bengal’s potato supply, including Odisha and Jharkhand, have also seen price increases. In Odisha, the price of potatoes has risen, and Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has criticized the West Bengal government for its handling of the situation. He stated that Odisha has arranged alternative sources of supply, including potatoes from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. In Jharkhand, the price of potatoes has gone up by Rs 5 per kg, further adding to the cost burden for consumers.

To address the unsold stock in cold storage, the West Bengal Agricultural Marketing Board extended the storage period for potatoes by one month, until the end of December. Cold storage officials report that about 6.5 lakh tons of potatoes remain unsold out of a total of 63.5 lakh tons stored this year. The extension aims to allow traders and cold storage owners more time to sell the unsold stock before the season ends. However, the government’s export ban has continued to impact the flow of potatoes to neighboring states, further complicating the situation.