News on The Potato Supply Chain from Asia

Satellite picture of Uttar Pradesh, located at the foot of the Himalaya's

January 15, 2014

Uttar Pradesh government is looking to increase potato production by 35%

The government of the Indian State Uttar Pradesh is giving a final shape to its proposed potato development Policy. Uttar Pradesh is looking to augment potato production by 35 percent to achieve 18 million tonnes

November 30, 2013

Shortage of Seed Hits Potato Farmers in Koraput, Odisha

Even though farmers in Koraput district have decided to take up potato farming in wake of the recent potato crisis, there are not enough stock of potato seeds in the district.

November 25, 2013

Long term potato storage proves profitable in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, hoarders and wholesalers have started lifting huge quantities of potatoes from cold storages in the district Dinajpur as prices of the vegetable are rising fast in the local markets.

November 11, 2013

West-Bengal eases potato export ban

Bending over backwards following pressure from other states and agitations by traders' associations there, the West Bengal government Monday relaxed its ban on export of potatoes

November 03, 2013

Price rise in India triggers potato smuggling from West-Bengal

Since potato prices in West Bengal are fixed by state government, smuggling of potatoes to surrounding Indian states that do not have fixed potato prices has become a major issue.

November 02, 2013

West Bengal Potato traders on 3-day strike

West Bengal state government today started selling potato at Rs 13 a kilo, a price pegged by chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on a day potato traders in Bengal began a 3-day strike to protest the administration’s ban on selling the tuber to other states.

October 30, 2013

Almost 25% of potato yield in India is under jeopardy

Despite well distributed rainfall in the monsoon, West Bengal, one of the most important potato growing zones in India, is likely to have major down fall in potato yield in next crop season. Courtesy- prevailing post monsoon meteorological disturbances.

October 25, 2013

Potato prices almost doubled in most parts of India over past one week

Potato prices have almost doubled in most parts of India over the past one week. While most states are yet to take steps to check the spike in prices, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called a meeting on October 30 to review the situation.

October 09, 2013

United States Potato Board Tests the Waters in Emerging Market of Burma

Food industry buyers and professionals in Burma received their first taste of U.S. frozen and dehydrated potato products with the United States Potato Board’s (USPB) participation in the U.S. Food &Beverage Agent Show.

October 06, 2013

New Zealand funds potato grading and sorting machine in Afghanistan

A potato grading and sorting machine has been set up in Bamyan, which is the main supplier of potatoes to Afghanistan’s population.

October 01, 2013

Bangladesh exports less potatoes

Bangladesh potato export in the first two quarters until June 2013 fell by 33 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.

September 11, 2013

European Union agrees to import potatoes from Lebanon

The European Union has granted Lebanon the right to export 50,000 tons of potatoes, reversing a decadelong export prohibition, the Lebanese Agriculture Ministry said Monday.

September 05, 2013

Bangladesh produces a record 8.6 million tons of potatoes in FY 2013

Potato production in Bangladesh in fiscal year (FY) 2012-13 hit a new record of 8.603 million tonnes surpassing the past record of 8.38 million tonnes in FY'11.

August 28, 2013

CPRI develops potatoes resistant to cold-induced sweetening

The Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Shimla, India's premier potato research institute, has evolved a new technology to prevent conversion of starch into glucose in low temperature conditions, like cold storages.

August 25, 2013

Farmers throw excess potatoes on roads in Kannauj

Farmers from Kannauj and neighbouring areas have been throwing potatoes on the roads here, after a super bumper crop led to huge excess of supply over demand.

August 18, 2013

SI Solutions proposes Potato Processing unit in Uttar Pradesh

SI Solutions has said it is interested in setting up a potato processing unit in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh and requested land for it.

August 10, 2013

Sri Lanka increases taxes on imported potatoes to protect local farmers

Sri Lanka has increased the tax on imported potatoes from Rs 15 to Rs 25 per kilo (from USD 0.11 to USD 0.19) to protect the interests of local potato farmers.

August 04, 2013

The Potato Farming Success of Gujarat's Banaskantha District

Contrary to NGO stories of exploited farmers and middlemen running riot, Gujarat’s potato farmers have scripted an entrepreneurial success story by teaming up with multinationals and other buyers of their produce