Potato Growers Seek Tuber Export to Pakistan

Eying better price realization, the potato traders in Punjab are urging their counterparts in Pakistan to push for import of tuber from India. The neighbouring country has restricted import of perishables from India since November the last year.

The traders in Punjab are wary of losses this season due to the higher domestic output of potato and prevailing low wholesale prices of the tuber.

"Pakistan has suspended import of all perishables from India in the last year and it has hit export of vegetables to Afghanistan as well," says Rajdeep Uppal, a leading exporter of perishables from Punjab to Pakistan.

"Prices are higher in Pakistan and the currency valuations makes neighbouring destination ideal for export of potato," Uppal, chairman of CII Amritsar chapter said.

In India, the wholesale price of potato has dropped in the current year. The prices have been subdued due to 10-15 per cent higher output in major potato growing states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab.

Potato growers claim that price below Rs 6 per kilogram incur losses while the prevailing wholesale prices are ruling around Rs 3-4 per kilogram.

This season, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited had to intervene after cold stores companies in the state refused to store the tuber anticipating low sentiment of revival in prices. To bailout potato growers, Punjab Agro is assisting in export of potato to overseas destinations lile Russia and Dubai. It has offered packaging facilities at district Hoshiarpur and Abohar for exports.

Potato traders are wary of scope of export to Dubai due to ensuing summer. "The time is not ideal for export to Dubai as refrigerated containers are not available for export and during the 35-45 days of shipments quality of potato is likely to be affected," Gurraj Singh Nijjer, president Jalandhar Potato Growers Association said.

Nijjer said that potato season has been challenging this year due to demonetisation and assembly polls in Punjab. "We have been seeking export to Pakistan to cut losses," he said.

"Export to Dubai may not begin before May as the country gets supplies from Egypt in Aril," says managing director, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation, K S Pannu. He admitted that lack of refrigerated containers for transportation and shipment is a concern for export to Dubai. He said that the shipments to Russia are expected to begin by next month.

"Concerns of Indian government about inflation is also hurtling export to Pakistan," says secretary, Jallandhar Potato Growers Association, Jagat Pratap Gill said. He said potato export to Dubai from states close to coast like Gujarat is viable as the time of shipment is less. He said this year the output is 10-15 per cent higher in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar.

Potato has been regular commodity in list of perishables exported via Attari-Wagah in the last one decade. But there have been no export of potato in the last year due to adequate crop in Pakistan.