Loading of potatoes in West Bengal cold storages has increased by 14 per cent to 74 lakh tonnes as the State’s production of the spud crossed 140 lakh tonnes for 2025-26, the highest in the last five years.
Total production of potato in Bengal, the country’s second largest grower, was around 115 lakh tonnes last year, also a bumper output.
“Total potato production for the State crossed 140 lakh tonnes this year, backed by favourable weather conditions in the potato-growing regions. Moreover, the area under cultivation increased marginally,” Patit Paban De, a senior member of West Bengal Cold Storage Association, told businessline.
Amid a record increase in potato production, loading in cold storages soared to 74 lakh tonnes from 65 lakh tonnes last year.
“More than 95 per cent of the storages are already full. This year mostly farmers have loaded their produce. Trades have not shown much interest in loading in cold storages after they had witnessed a substantial financial loss last year,” De said.
