Bhubaneswar, Oct 27: Though the cyclone has not yet made landfall, its impact is already being felt across Odisha’s markets. Potato prices have surged sharply, and in many parts of the capital, the staple vegetable has virtually disappeared from shelves.

From Saturday morning to Sunday, not a single truck carrying potatoes arrived in Bhubaneswar from Kolkata. This sudden halt in supply has raised concerns among traders and consumers alike about how to maintain adequate stock in the coming days.

On Sunday, retail prices of potatoes touched ₹25 per kilo, while onions sold for ₹30 per kilo- an increase of ₹5 from the previous day. Consumers alleged that black marketing is taking advantage of the cyclone situation. The state Revenue Minister has warned traders against hoarding and unfair pricing, but the effectiveness of these directives remains to be seen.

For the past several months, potato prices in Bhubaneswar had remained stable at around ₹20 per kilo in both wholesale and retail markets. Even during the month of Kartika, when other vegetable prices increased, potato rates had remained steady.

Normally, 200–300 tonnes of potatoes are transported daily from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar, meeting the city’s daily demand of around 250 tonnes. However, with transportation disrupted, the situation has taken a serious turn.

Bhubaneswar’s supply chain also caters to nearby areas including Balianta, Balipatna, Chandaka, Jatni, Khurda, and Puri. Traders and warehouse owners fear that if supplies from Kolkata do not resume soon, prices could rise further and shortages may extend to these adjoining regions.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as residents brace for the twin challenges of a possible cyclone and rising food prices.