Traders and Farmers Urge State Government to Lift Potato Export Ban Amid Storage Crisis

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, December 22, 2024: Traders and farmers in West Bengal are raising concerns over the large quantities of potatoes stored in cold stores, fearing significant losses as the state government’s ban on exports to other regions continues. With new potatoes expected to enter the market soon, the future of the stored potatoes remains uncertain, prompting urgent appeals to the Mamata Banerjee-led administration to reconsider the export restrictions.

The cold stores in districts such as Chandrakona in Paschim Medinipur are reportedly holding lakhs of packets of potatoes, with traders expressing anxiety over the lack of local demand for these stocks. These potatoes are typically exported to neighboring states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, but the ongoing export ban has put traders and farmers in a precarious position. They fear that if the potatoes are not exported by December, much of the stock will spoil, leading to substantial financial losses.

In Paschim Medinipur alone, approximately 1.65 lakh metric tons of potatoes remain stored in cold storage facilities. Chandrakona block accounts for around 10.8 lakh packets of potatoes, which are primarily intended for export. Traders argue that these potatoes are not meant for the Kolkata market but for neighboring states, where demand is higher. They have expressed frustration over the imposition of checkposts along state highways, which are closely monitoring the transportation of potatoes.

In light of these challenges, traders are calling on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to immediately lift the export ban to prevent further deterioration of the stored potatoes and ensure the availability of storage space for the incoming crop. “We are facing extreme problems due to the ban. If we cannot clear the stock by December, there will be no room to store the new potatoes, and the old ones will rot,” said one trader.

As tensions mount, it remains to be seen whether the state government will take action to ease the concerns of both traders and farmers. The situation is becoming increasingly urgent as the clock ticks toward the new potato harvest season.