Potato Prices Swing Widely: Indore Hits ₹1,500/Qtl

Indore’s mandi rate jumped from ₹1,350 to ₹1,500 per quintal, up 11% week-on-week. Other major mandis showed similar climbs in North and Central India. Southern markets like Tamil Nadu and Kerala saw ongoing high prices, some above ₹3,000 per quintal, pointing to region-wise supply gaps.

National potato supply faces pressure from regional imbalances and harvest timing. While Northern states harvested early, logistical issues and storage limitations cause delivery delays. The Rabi season’s 3-4% larger crop gave some price relief, but fast festival demand erases this cushion. Storage losses, especially in basic facilities, remain high. Southern states buy from long distances, raising average retail prices there above ₹30/kg. Price ranges are driven by inconsistent cold storage quality and patchy arrivals.

Demand soared during Diwali festivals, pushing short-term prices up in Indore and similar mandis. Urban retail saw potato rates jump to ₹20-45/kg, especially in cities like Vijayawada and Chennai. Processors face input price spikes, especially for Lady Rosetta and Red Nanital varieties. Buyers in South India had to pay premium rates because of long-distance procurement. Despite price highs, overall consumer demand stays robust, as potato is a staple food item.

lowest impact: Ballabhgarh, Haryana, price ₹600/qtl, strong arrivals, fast selling | highest impact: Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu, price ₹3,500/qtl, high demand, long haulage | stable: Khanna, Punjab, price ₹1,000/qtl, steady supply, balanced stocks

Recent government data shows Rabi 2025 output up 3-4%, which helped dampen some price spikes. However, no fresh export or minimum support price interventions were announced this week. Storage infrastructure remains inconsistent, with state schemes in Punjab, UP, and Bihar still under progress. Solar cold storage subsidy applications are open in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh till November 25, but low awareness limits uptake. Traders worry about further disruptions if new logistic restrictions or transport strikes emerge.