Annual Report: The Indian Potato Sector in 2025. The global potato market witnessed a seismic shift in 2025, defined not by the traditional powerhouses of Northern Europe or North America, but by the aggressive ascent of India. Long established as the world’s second-largest producer of tubers, India’s role in the global trade matrix underwent a fundamental transformation throughout the calendar year 2025. No longer content with merely supplying fresh table potatoes to immediate The global potato market witnessed a seismic shift in 2025, defined not by the traditional powerhouses of Northern Europe or North America, but by the aggressive ascent of India. Long established as the world’s second-largest producer of tubers, India’s role in the global trade matrix underwent a fundamental transformation throughout the calendar year. No longer content with merely supplying fresh table potatoes to immediate neighbours, the Indian industry leveraged a record harvest and highly competitive pricing to disrupt the global frozen french fry market. By undercutting established European and North American suppliers, India carved out significant market share across Asia and the Middle East, signalling its arrival as a top-tier competitor in the value-added processing sector. Production Landscape: A Foundation for Growth The bedrock of India’s 2025 trade performance was a robust production base. Official figures released by India’s Agriculture Ministry in June 2025 pegged the 2024/25 production at 58.1 million tonnes. This  output provided the raw material necessary to fuel an expanding processing sector while maintaining domestic food security. Link Connect Now This abundance was critical as it allowed Indian exporters to maintain volume despite fluctuations in regional harvests. While weather conditions challenged growers in some specific regions, the overall national output remained resilient, cementing India’s status as the only country producing over 33 million tonnes more than its nearest rival (excluding China),. This massive volume of raw material provided the necessary scale to support a burgeoning export strategy focused on aggressive price competitiveness. The Frozen Fry Export Boom The defining narrative of the Indian potato industry in calendar year 2025 was the unprecedented expansion of its frozen french fry exports. The year was characterised by a succession of broken records as Indian processors looked outward. The momentum began early in the year. In February 2025, frozen fry exports broke the 20,000-tonne barrier for the first time, reaching 20,284 tonnes—a 46.1% increase over the same month in the previous year. This upward trend accelerated into March, setting a new record of 22,098 tonnes, a 10.7% increase year-on-year. However, the peak of this export drive occurred in the summer. July 2025 saw Indian fry exports hit a new all-time high of 25,318 tonnes, a staggering 77.5% increase compared to July 2024. Even as the year progressed, volumes remained historically high; August saw shipments of 24,659 tonnes, and September maintained momentum with 24,589 tonnes. Link By the end of September 2025, India’s 12-month export total had reached 234,056 tonnes, marking a 43.9% increase over the previous year. This surge in volume was accompanied by a significant rise in value; the 12-month export earnings reached a record ₹22.2 billion. The Strategy of Price Competitiveness India’s rapid expansion into global markets was driven primarily by a strategy of aggressive pricing. As European and North American suppliers grappled with high input costs and currency fluctuations, India consistently offered substantially lower prices. Throughout 2025, Indian export prices trended downward, making their products increasingly attractive to price-sensitive markets. In February, the average export price was ₹97,195/tonne, down 7.3% on the previous year. By May, the price had fallen further to ₹94,272/tonne, and by July, it dropped to ₹91,686/tonne—a 6.8% decrease year-on-year. By September 2025, the average export price held steady at ₹91,847/tonne, which was 3.5% lower than the previous year. This pricing strategy was instrumental in capturing market share; for example, in May, India offered fries to Malaysia at ₹98,616/tonne, and to Saudi Arabia at a highly competitive ₹88,792/tonne. Market Diversification: Conquering the Middle East While Southeast Asia remained a stronghold, the most dramatic shifts in 2025 occurred in the Middle East. Indian exporters successfully targeted the Gulf states, capitalizing on geographic proximity and pricing to displace European dominance. Saudi Arabia emerged as a star market for Indian processors. In the 12 months leading to August 2025, exports to Saudi Arabia skyrocketed by 314% to reach 20,377 tonnes. In July alone, Saudi Arabia imported 3,253 tonnes of Indian fries, an 885% increase compared to the same month the previous year. This surge was facilitated by a highly competitive price point of ₹81,537/tonne, significantly undercutting competitors. By September 2025, sales to Saudi Arabia for the month reached 5,185 tonnes, a 184% increase year-on-year, with prices dropping further to ₹78,837/tonne,. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed a similar appetite for Indian product. Annual sales to the UAE exploded by over 406% to 15,358 tonnes by August. In February alone, exports to the UAE jumped by 706%. By September 2025, India had firmly established itself as a critical supplier to the region, exporting 17,295 tonnes over the 12-month period, a 133% increase. The Battle for Southeast Asia In Southeast Asia, India engaged in fierce competition with China to fill the vacuum left by higher-priced US and European products. Link The Philippines remained India’s largest single export market. Despite intense pressure from Chinese suppliers, India maintained a strong foothold. In July 2025, sales to the Philippines surged by 141.8% to 7,129 tonnes, driven by a price reduction to ₹86,908/tonne. Over the 12 months ending in September 2025, the Philippines absorbed 57,200 tonnes of Indian fries, representing a 25.0% increase. Malaysia proved to be a major growth area. Indian exports to Malaysia increased by 222% in the year ending December 2024. This trend continued through 2025; in September alone, sales to Malaysia rose by 153.1% to 2,984 tonnes. By offering prices such as ₹92,416/tonne in July, India successfully competed for market share against other low-cost suppliers. However, the Thai market proved more difficult. Exports to Thailand fell by 52.0% in the year ending July 2025, dropping to 19,313 tonnes. In May 2025, sales to Thailand plummeted by 65.9%. This indicated that while India was highly competitive against Western suppliers, it faced a fierce battle in specific Asian markets where prices remained relatively high at ₹100,731/tonne in July. New Frontiers: Japan and Beyond Perhaps the most significant indicator of India’s rising quality standards was its breakthrough into the Japanese market—traditionally the reserve of high-quality US products. In the year ending August 2025, Indian fry exports to Japan surged by 112% to 10,815 tonnes. In September 2025, shipments to Japan jumped by 68.5% to 1,415 tonnes. Even in the highly discerning South Korean market, India began to make inroads, exporting 151 tonnes in September 2025, a 55.7% increase. The Fresh (Ware) Potato Trade While the processing sector grabbed headlines, the trade in fresh (ware) potatoes remained a vital component of the Indian potato economy, characterised by high volumes but fluctuating demand from key neighbours. In the 2024 calendar year, India achieved record ware exports of 536,138 tonnes. However, as 2025 progressed, the sector faced headwinds. By August 2025, annual ware exports had dipped by 3.9% to 490,008 tonnes. This decline was largely attributed to the loss of the Bangladesh market. In 2024, Bangladesh had been a major buyer, but in 2025, demand evaporated, with zero exports recorded in months like April and September. Conversely, Nepal solidified its position as the primary destination for Indian fresh potatoes. Nepal consistently absorbed large volumes, accounting for nearly half of all sales. In July 2025, Nepal purchased 15,026 tonnes, representing 42% of India’s total ware exports for the month. The Gulf region also remained a critical outlet for fresh potatoes. Oman consolidated its position as India’s second-largest market, with annual purchases rising 17.6% to 55,249 tonnes by April. Kuwait and the UAE also increased their intake, undeterred by rising prices. For example, in May 2025, the average export price for Indian ware potatoes reached a record ₹24,003/tonne. Dehydrated Products and Starch Beyond fries and fresh tubers, India continued to expand its footprint in the dehydrated potato sector (flakes and flour). This sector provided a crucial outlet for surplus production and further diversified India’s export portfolio. India made significant gains in the European market for dehydrated products, capitalizing on shortages and high prices within the EU. In the year ending October 2024, India exported 40,672 tonnes of flakes and flour, a 17.0% increase. India’s flake exports to Asian neighbors also surged. Exports to Malaysia rose by nearly 48% to 12,795 tonnes and to the Philippines by 43.8% to 4,688 tonnes in the 2023/24 period. The 2025 Calendar Year The calendar year 2025 marked a definitive turning point for the Indian potato industry. No longer a sleeping giant restricted to domestic consumption and regional fresh trade, India emerged as a structural competitor in the global processed potato market. By leveraging a record harvest and maintaining aggressively low export prices—often significantly lower than Western competitors—India successfully captured market share in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The explosion in frozen fry exports, reaching over 234,000 tonnes annually by September, combined with sustained fresh exports to Nepal and the Gulf, demonstrates a resilience and ambition that has reshaped global trade flows. As European and North American suppliers grappled with tariffs, high costs, and stagnant demand, India filled the void. While challenges remain in stabilizing farm-gate prices and managing regional competition with China, the performance of 2025 confirmed that the Indian potato industry has successfully pivoted toward a value-added, export-oriented future.

वार्षिक रिपोर्ट: भारतीय आलू क्षेत्र 2025 में वैश्विक आलू बाजार ने 2025 में एक बड़ा बदलाव देखा, जो उत्तरी यूरोप या उत्तरी अमेरिका के पारंपरिक शक्तियों द्वारा नहीं बल्कि भारत के आक्रामक उभार से परिभाषित हुआ। लंबे समय से कंद उत्पादों का दुनिया का दूसरा-largest उत्पादक रहने के नाते, भारत की वैश्विक व्यापार मैट्रिक्स में भूमिका ने 2025 के कैलेंडर वर्ष के दौरान एक मूलभूत परिवर्तन किया। अब तक केवल पड़ोसी देशों को ताजा आलू की आपूर्ति करके संतुष्ट नहीं रहा, भारतीय उद्योग ने एक रिकॉर्ड फसल और अत्यधिक प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक कीमतों का लाभ उठाते हुए वैश्विक फ्रीज़ फ्राई बाजार को बाधित किया। स्थापित यूरोपीय और उत्तरी अमेरिकी आपूर्तिकर्ताओं को नुकसान पहुंचाते हुए, भारत ने एशिया और मध्य पूर्व में महत्वपूर्ण बाजार हिस्सेदारी प्राप्त की, जो मूल्य-वर्धन प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र में एक उच्च श्रेणी के प्रतिस्पर्धी के रूप में अपनी उपस्थिति का संकेत था। उत्पादन परिदृश्य: विकास के लिए एक आधार भारत के 2025 के व्यापार प्रदर्शन की नींव एक मजबूत उत्पादन आधार थी। भारत के कृषि मंत्रालय द्वारा जून 2025 में जारी आधिकारिक आंकड़ों के अनुसार, 2024/25 उत्पादन 58.1 मिलियन टन था। यह उत्पादन आवश्यक कच्चे माल की आपूर्ति करता है जिससे प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र का विस्तार हो सके और घरेलू खाद्य सुरक्षा बनाए रखी जा सके। यह प्रचुरता महत्वपूर्ण थी क्योंकि इसने भारतीय निर्यातकों को क्षेत्रीय फसलों में उतार-चढ़ाव के बावजूद मात्रा बनाए रखने की अनुमति दी। जबकि कुछ विशिष्ट क्षेत्रों में मौसम की स्थिति ने किसानों को चुनौती दी, समर्पण के तहत राष्ट्रीय उत्पादन स्थिर रहा, जिसने भारत की स्थिति को मजबूत किया, जो अपने निकटतम प्रतिद्वंद्वी (चीन को छोड़कर) के मुकाबले 33 मिलियन टन से अधिक का उत्पादन करने वाला एकमात्र देश है। इस विशाल मात्रा ने एक बढ़ती हुई निर्यात रणनीति का समर्थन करने के लिए आवश्यक पैमाने को प्रदान किया जो आक्रामक मूल्य प्रतिस्पर्धा पर केंद्रित थी। फ्रीज फ्राई निर्यात वृद्धि भारतीय आलू उद्योग की परिभाषित कहानी 2025 के कैलेंडर वर्ष में इसके फ्रीज़ फ्राई निर्यात का अभूतपूर्व विस्तार थी। वर्ष ने भारतीय प्रसंस्कर्ताओं के बाहरी देखने के साथ तोड़े गए रिकॉर्ड की एक श्रृंखला के साथ विशेषता दिखाई। गतिविधि वर्ष की शुरुआत में ही शुरू हुई। फरवरी 2025 में, फ्रीज़ फ्राई निर्यात ने पहली बार 20,000 टन की बाधा को पार करते हुए 20,284 टन तक पहुँच गया—पिछले वर्ष के समान महीने की तुलना में 46.1% की वृद्धि। यह upward trend मार्च में तेज हुई, एक नए रिकॉर्ड 22,098 टन तक पहुँचते हुए, साल-दर-साल 10.7% की वृद्धि। हालांकि, इस निर्यात प्रवृत्ति की चरम सीमा गर्मियों में आई। जुलाई 2025 में भारतीय फ्राई निर्यात ने 25,318 टन का एक नया सर्वकालिक उच्चReached, जो जुलाई 2024 के मुकाबले एक चौंका देने वाली 77.5% की वृद्धि थी। वर्ष की प्रगति के साथ, मात्रा ऐतिहासिक रूप से उच्च रही; अगस्त में 24,659 टन की शिपमेंट हुई, और सितंबर ने 24,589 टन की निरंतरता बनाए रखी। सितंबर 2025 के अंत तक, भारत का 12 महीने का निर्यात कुल 234,056 टन तक पहुँच गया, जो पिछले वर्ष की तुलना में 43.9% की वृद्धि का संकेत देता है। इस मात्रा में वृद्धि के साथ-साथ मूल्य में भी महत्वपूर्ण वृद्धि हुई; 12 महीने की निर्यात आय ने ₹22.2 बिलियन का रिकॉर्ड तक पहुँचाया। मूल्य प्रतिस्पर्धा की रणनीति वैश्विक बाजारों में भारत का तेजी से विस्तार मुख्य रूप से आक्रामक मूल्य निर्धारण की रणनीति द्वारा संचालित था। जैसे-जैसे यूरोपीय और उत्तरी अमेरिकी आपूर्तिकर्ता उच्च इनपुट लागत और मुद्रा उतार-चढ़ाव से जूझते रहे, भारत ने लगातार काफी कम कीमतें पेश कीं। 2025 के दौरान, भारतीय निर्यात मूल्य कम होते रहे, जिससे उनके उत्पादों को मूल्य-संवेदनशील बाजारों में अधिक आकर्षक बनाया गया। फरवरी में, औसत निर्यात मूल्य ₹97,195/टन था, जो पिछले वर्ष की तुलना में 7.3% की गिरावट दर्शाता है। मई में, मूल्य और भी गिरकर ₹94,272/टन हो गया, और जुलाई में यह घटकर ₹91,686/टन हो गया—साल-दर-साल 6.8% की कमी। सितंबर 2025 तक, औसत निर्यात मूल्य ₹91,847/टन पर स्थिर रहा, जो पिछले वर्ष की तुलना में 3.5% कम था। यह मूल्य निर्धारण रणनीति बाजार हिस्सेदारी बुनने में महत्वपूर्ण सिद्ध हुई; उदाहरण के लिए, मई में, भारत ने मलेशिया को ₹98,616/टन में और सऊदी अरब को एक अत्यधिक प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक ₹88,792/टन में फ्राई की पेशकश की। बाजार विविधीकरण: मध्य पूर्व पर विजय हालाँकि दक्षिण-पूर्व एशिया एक मजबूत गढ़ बना रहा, 2025 में सबसे नाटकीय बदलाव मध्य पूर्व में हुआ। भारतीय निर्यातकों ने गल्फ देशों को सफलतापूर्वक लक्षित किया, भौगोलिक निकटता और मूल्य का लाभ उठाते हुए यूरोपीय प्रभुत्व को आगे बढ़ाया। सऊदी अरब भारतीय प्रसंस्कर्ताओं के लिए एक प्रमुख बाजार के रूप में उभरा। अगस्त 2025 में समाप्त होने वाले 12 महीनों में, सऊदी अरब के लिए निर्यात 314% बढ़कर 20,377 टन तक पहुँच गया। जुलाई में अकेले सऊदी अरब ने 3,253 टन भारतीय फ्राई का आयात किया, जो पिछले वर्ष के समान महीने की तुलना में 885% की वृद्धि थी। इस वृद्धि की सुविधा एक अत्यधिक प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक मूल्य बिंदु ₹81,537/टन द्वारा हुई, जो प्रतिस्पर्धियों की तुलना में काफी नीचे थी। सितंबर 2025 तक, सऊदी अरब के लिए उस महीने की बिक्री 5,185 टन तक पहुँच गई, जो साल-दर-साल 184% की वृद्धि दर्शाती है, जबकि कीमतें आगे गिरकर ₹78,837/टन हो गईं। संयुक्त अरब अमीरात (UAE) ने भी भारतीय उत्पाद के लिए उसी तरह की रुचि दिखाई। उद्देश्य की वार्षिक बिक्री अगस्त तक 406% वृद्धि के साथ 15,358 टन तक पहुँच गई। फरवरी में ही, UAE के लिए निर्यात में 706% की वृद्धि हुई। सितंबर 2025 तक, भारत ने क्षेत्र में एक महत्वपूर्ण आपूर्तिकर्ता के रूप में अपनी स्थिति मजबूत की, 12 महीने की अवधि में 17,295 टन का निर्यात करते हुए, जो 133% की वृद्धि थी। दक्षिण पूर्व एशिया के लिए लड़ाई दक्षिण-पूर्व एशिया में, भारत ने अमेरिका और यूरोप के उच्च मूल्य वाले उत्पादों द्वारा छोड़े गए रिक्त स्थान को भरने के लिए चीन के साथ मजबूत प्रतिस्पर्धा में प्रवेश किया। फिलीपीन भारत का सबसे बड़ा एकल निर्यात बाजार बना रहा। चीनी आपूर्तिकर्ताओं के तीव्र दबाव के बावजूद, भारत ने एक मजबूत पकड़ बनाए रखी। जुलाई 2025 में, फिलीपीन के लिए बिक्री 141.8% बढ़कर 7,129 टन हो गई, जो ₹86,908/टन की कीमत में कमी के कारण थी। सितंबर 2025 के अंत तक 12 महीनों में, फिलीपिन ने 57,200 टन भारतीय फ्राई का सेवन किया, जो 25.0% की वृद्धि दर्शाता है। मलेशिया एक प्रमुख विकास क्षेत्र साबित हुआ। मलेशिया के लिए भारतीय निर्यात 2024 के अंत में 222% की वृद्धि के साथ समाप्त हुआ। यह प्रवृत्ति 2025 में जारी रही; केवल सितंबर में, मलेशिया के लिए बिक्री 153.1% बढ़कर 2,984 टन में पहुँची। जुलाई में ₹92,416/टन जैसे दाम पेश करके, भारत अन्य कम लागत वाले आपूर्तिकर्ताओं के मुकाबले बाजार हिस्सेदारी हासिल करने में सफल रहा। हालांकि, थाई बाजार अधिक कठिन साबित हुआ। जुलाई 2025 के अंत में थाईलैंड के लिए निर्यात 52.0% गिरकर 19,313 टन तक पहुँच गया। मई 2025 में, थाईलैंड के लिए बिक्री 65.9% गिर गई। यह दर्शाता है कि जबकि भारत पश्चिमी आपूर्तिकर्ताओं के साथ प्रतिस्पर्धी था, इसने विशिष्ट एशियाई बाजारों में तीव्र लड़ाई का सामना किया जहां कीमतें जुलाई में ₹100,731/टन के आसपास बनी रहीं। नई सीमाएँ: जापान और इसके आगे शायद भारत के गुणवत्ता मानकों के बढ़ते संकेतक में से सबसे महत्वपूर्ण जापानी बाजार में प्रवेश था—जो परंपरागत रूप से उच्च गुणवत्ता वाले अमेरिकी उत्पादों के लिए आरक्षित था। अगस्त 2025 में समाप्त होने वाले वित्तीय वर्ष में, जापान के लिए भारतीय फ्राई निर्यात में 112% की वृद्धि होकर 10,815 टन हो गई। सितंबर 2025 में, जापान के लिए शिपमेंट में 68.5% की वृद्धि हुई और यह 1,415 टन तक पहुँचा। यहां तक कि अत्यधिक चयनात्मक दक्षिण कोरियाई बाजार में, भारत ने प्रवेश करना शुरू किया, सितंबर 2025 में 151 टन का निर्यात करते हुए, जो 55.7% की वृद्धि थी। ताजा (वेयर) आलू व्यापार जबकि प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र सुर्खियाँ बनाता रहा, ताजा (वेयर) आलू का व्यापार भारतीय आलू अर्थव्यवस्था का एक महत्वपूर्ण घटक बना, जो उच्च मात्रा के साथ लेकिन प्रमुख पड़ोसियों से मांग में उतार-चढ़ाव का सामना करता रहा। 2024 के कैलेंडर वर्ष में, भारत ने 536,138 टन का रिकार्ड वेयर निर्यात हासिल किया। हालाँकि, 2025 के बाद, इस क्षेत्र ने चुनौतियों का सामना किया। अगस्त 2025 तक, वार्षिक वेयर निर्यात 3.9% घटकर 490,008 टन पर पहुँच गया। इस गिरावट का बड़ा कारण बांग्लादेश बाजार का नुकसान रहा। 2024 में, बांग्लादेश एक बड़ा खरीदार रहा था, लेकिन 2025 में, मांग समाप्त हो गई, ऐसे महीनों में जैसे अप्रैल और सितंबर में शून्य निर्यात का रिकॉर्ड किया गया। इसके विपरीत, नेपाल ने भारतीय ताजा आलू के लिए प्राथमिक गंतव्य के रूप में अपनी स्थिति मजबूत की। नेपाल ने लगातार बड़ी मात्रा में आलू खरीदा, जो कुल बिक्री का लगभग आधा हिस्सा बनाता है। जुलाई 2025 में, नेपाल ने 15,026 टन खरीदा, जो महीने के लिए भारत के कुल वेयर निर्यात का 42% है। गुल्फ क्षेत्र ताजा आलू के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण आउटलेट बना रहा। ओमान ने अप्रैल में 17.6% वृद्धि के साथ भारत का दूसरा-largest बाजार बना। कुवैत और UAE ने भी अपनी खरीद बढ़ाई, जब कीमतें बढ़ रही थीं। उदाहरण के लिए, मई 2025 में, भारतीय वेयर आलू का औसत निर्यात मूल्य ₹24,003/टन तक पहुँच गया। डीहाइड्रेटेड उत्पाद और स्टार्च फ्राई और ताजा कंदों के अलावा, भारत ने डीहाइड्रेटेड आलू क्षेत्र (फ्लेक्स और आटा) में अपने पैरों को फैलाने में भी निरंतरता बनाई। इस क्षेत्र ने अधिशेष उत्पादन के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण आउटलेट प्रदान किया और भारत के निर्यात पोर्टफोलियो को और विविधता दी। भारत ने यूरोपीय बाजार में डीहाइड्रेटेड उत्पादों के लिए महत्वपूर्ण लाभ प्राप्त किए, यूरोपीय संघ में कमी और उच्च कीमतों का लाभ उठाते हुए। अक्टूबर 2024 में समाप्त होने वाले वर्ष में, भारत ने 40,672 टन फ्लेक्स और आटा का निर्यात किया, जो 17.0% की वृद्धि थी। भारत के फ्लेक्स निर्यात भी एशियाई पड़ोसियों में बढ़े। मलेशिया के लिए निर्यात में लगभग 48% की वृद्धि हुई और 12,795 टन तक पहुँच गया, और फिलीपीन के लिए 43.8% की वृद्धि हुई जो 4,688 टन थी 2023/24 अवधि में। 2025 का कैलेंडर वर्ष 2025 का कैलेंडर वर्ष भारतीय आलू उद्योग के लिए एक निर्णायक मोड़ चिह्नित करता है। अब एक नींद के विशालकाय की जानी-पहचानी उपस्थिति से बाहर निकलते हुए, भारत वैश्विक प्रसंस्कृत आलू बाजार में एक संरचनात्मक प्रतिकूल के रूप में उभरा। एक रिकॉर्ड फसल का उपयोग करते हुए और आक्रामक रूप से कम निर्यात कीमतें बनाए रखते हुए—जो अक्सर पश्चिमी प्रतिस्पर्धियों से काफी कम थीं—भारत ने मध्य पूर्व और दक्षिण-पूर्व एशिया में बाजार हिस्सेदारी हासिल की। फ्रीज़ फ्राई एक्सपोर्ट में विस्फोट, जो सितंबर तक 234,000 टन वार्षिक स्तर पर पहुँच गया, नेपाल और गल्फ के लिए निरंतर ताजा निर्यात के साथ मिलकर वैश्विक व्यापार प्रवाह को फिर से आकार देने वाला एक सामर्थ्य और महत्वाकांक्षा का प्रदर्शन करता है। जबकि यूरोपीय और उत्तरी अमेरिकी आपूर्तिकर्ता टैरिफ, उच्च लागत, और स्थिर मांग के साथ निपटने में संघर्ष कर रहे थे, भारत ने उस रिक्त स्थान को भरा। जबकि ये चुनौतियाँ खेत के दरों को स्थिर करने और चीन के साथ क्षेत्रीय प्रतिस्पर्धा को प्रबंधित करने में बनी रहीं, 2025 का प्रदर्शन इस बात की पुष्टि करता है कि भारतीय आलू उद्योग मूल्य-वर्धन, निर्यात-केंद्रित भविष्य की ओर सफलतापूर्वक मुड़ गया है।

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Why a Bumper Harvest is Spelling Trouble for Punjab’s Doaba Potato Farmers. In the heart of Punjab’s fertile Doaba region, the arrival of the potato harvesting season is usually a time of bustling activity and economic hope. However, this year, the sprawling green fields of Jalandhar and Kapurthala are clouded by a sense of deep unease. For the farmers of this “potato belt,” a combination of leftover stocks from the previous year and the prospect of an exceptionally high output this season has created a paradoxical crisis of plenty. While a bumper crop is typically celebrated, for the potato growers of Punjab, it has become a harbinger of financial distress. The market is currently grappling with a supply-demand imbalance that threatens to push farm-gate prices below the cost of production, leaving many questioning the viability of their hard work. The Glut from Yesterday The roots of the current crisis lie in the tail end of the previous agricultural cycle. Last year, Punjab witnessed a highly productive season, but the market failed to absorb the entirety of the harvest. Significant quantities of potatoes remained in cold storage, unsold and waiting for a price correction that never materialized. Link As the new harvest begins, these old stocks continue to sit in warehouses, occupying space and dampening the demand for fresh produce. This overlap is a critical factor in the current price slump. When fresh potatoes enter a market already saturated with old stock, the immediate consequence is a sharp decline in wholesale rates. For many Doaba farmers, the struggle isn’t just about selling this year’s crop; it’s about clearing the debts incurred from the one that didn’t sell last year. Prices on the Brink The early varieties of potatoes, such as Kufri Pukhraj, are already hitting the market. These 60-day crops are essential for maintaining a farmer’s cash flow. However, the current farm-gate prices are hovering around ₹6 to ₹7 per kilogram. According to local agricultural representatives, these rates barely cover the basic input costs—seeds, fertilizers, diesel, and labor. Jaswinder Sangha, a prominent voice in the Jalandhar Potato Growers Association, has pointed out that at these rates, there is zero profit margin. “We are just at par with the expenses,” he noted, reflecting a sentiment shared by thousands. Without a profit margin, farmers find it impossible to reinvest in the next cropping cycle or service the high-interest loans often taken from local commission agents or banks. A Nationwide Surplus The crisis is not confined to Punjab alone. Agriculture is a national network, and this year, several major potato-producing states—including West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha—are assumed to report higher-than-average production. Link Historically, Punjab has served as the “seed hub” for the rest of the country. Doaba farmers take pride in producing high-quality seeds that are exported to the eastern and southern states. However, logistical hurdles and political events elsewhere have disrupted this vital trade link. For instance, recent elections in Bihar and labor shortages in West Bengal have slowed down the off-loading of Punjab’s seed consignments. Delays in transportation, exacerbated by unseasonal weather in some regions, have led to some supplies rotting in transit, adding physical loss to financial injury. The Double-Edged Sword of Technology Interestingly, the very innovations that have made Doaba farmers world leaders in potato production are now contributing to the oversupply. The region has seen a surge in the use of advanced agricultural technologies. Many farmers have established private tissue culture laboratories, allowing them to multiply high-yield varieties sourced from the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Kufri. Techniques like aeroponics—growing plants in an air or mist environment without soil—have also gained traction, significantly boosting the output of virus-free potato seeds. While this technological leap exemplifies the Punjab farmer’s progressive mindset, it has also led to a production capacity that currently outstrips the market’s ability to consume or export. The Weather Factor: A Fickle Friend In a typical year, farmers worry about “Late Blight,” a devastating fungal disease triggered by fog, smog, and frost. This year, the weather has been unusually clear. While the absence of blight is a relief, it also means that the survival rate of the crop is nearly 100%. As Jang Bahadur Sangha, one of the region’s largest growers, observed, if the weather remains clear for another fortnight, the region will see a massive bumper crop of varieties like Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jyoti, and Diamond. In a stable market, this would be a windfall. In a saturated market, every extra bag of potatoes harvested further depresses the price, turning nature’s bounty into an economic burden. The Consumer-Politician Nexus vs. The Grower There is a growing sense of frustration among farmers regarding the “demand-supply ratio.” While low potato prices are a boon for urban consumers and a relief for politicians looking to keep food inflation in check, the grower is the one subsidizing this cheap food with their own losses. Farmers argue that there is a lack of a robust government intervention mechanism to stabilize prices during a glut. Unlike wheat and paddy, which benefit from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and government procurement, potatoes are largely left to the mercy of the open market. When the market fails, the farmer has no safety net. Summary The potato farmers of Doaba are among the most resilient and innovative in the world. They have turned a humble tuber into a regional powerhouse. Yet, as they stand amidst fields of plenty, they face a future of uncertainty. The sight of farm workers diligently gathering the new harvest should be one of prosperity, but without structural changes to the market and government support, it remains a cycle of struggle. For the Doaba farmer, the hope now rests on a miracle of the market—or perhaps a lesson for the policy-makers: that a bumper crop should never be a cause for worry in a country that prides itself on its agricultural heritage. Until then, the surplus stocks remain a heavy weight on the shoulders of those who feed the nation. Inputs from : The Tribune

पंजाब के दोआबा आलू किसानों के लिए बम्पर फसल क्यों परेशानी का सबब बन रही है। पंजाब के उपजाऊ दोआबा क्षेत्र के दिल में आलू की फसल कटाई का मौसम आमतौर पर व्यस्तता और आर्थिक आशा का समय होता है। हालाँकि, इस वर्ष जलंधर और कपूरथला के फैले हुए हरे खेतों में गहरी चिंता की भावना छाई हुई है। इस "आलू बेल्ट" के किसानों के लिए, पिछले वर्ष के बचे हुए स्टॉक्स और इस मौसम में असाधारण उच्च उत्पादन की संभावना ने abundance की एक विरोधाभासी संकट उत्पन्न कर दिया है। जबकि बम्पर फसल को आमतौर पर मनाया जाता है, पंजाब के आलू उत्पादकों के लिए, यह वित्तीय संकट का एक सूचक बन गया है। बाजार इस समय एक आपूर्ति-प्रतिदान असंतुलन का सामना कर रहा है जो कृषि द्वार मूल्य को उत्पादन लागत से नीचे धकेलने की धमकी दे रहा है, जिससे कई लोग अपने कड़ी मेहनत की व्यवहार्यता पर सवाल उठा रहे हैं। पिछले वर्ष का अधिशेष वर्तमान संकट की जड़ें पिछले कृषि चक्र के अंत में हैं। पिछले वर्ष, पंजाब ने एक अत्यधिक उत्पादक मौसम का अनुभव किया, लेकिन बाजार ने फसल के संपूर्ण स्टॉक को समाहित करने में असफलता दिखाई। आलू की महत्वपूर्ण मात्रा कोल्ड स्ट...
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The Story of McPatel Foods: A Partnership Forged in Europe. McPatel Foods emerged in 2023 from a shared vision among four founders aimed at revolutionizing the frozen food sector within the Indian market. The company’s vision, conceived collectively by the four directors and founders—Karan Sarodia, Aditya Patel, Kirit Haraniya, and Jignesh Patel—was explicitly defined to provide the best quality products to Indian customers while simultaneously focusing on the export market. The company established its operations specifically focusing on frozen French fries. The creation of McPatel Foods was the result of a singular, impactful trip undertaken by the four directors. They were already acquainted, coming from different industries. This pivotal moment occurred when they all attended the Anuga Europe trade fair, in late 2023, with the intention of exploring the frozen food market. It was during this exploration that the idea for McPatel Foods was conceived, leading to the birth of the company. Founders attribute the company’s existence directly to this journey, stating that if the Anuga trip had not happened, the company likely would not be where it is today. Following the trip, the founders collectively decided to establish the company and introduce their brand for processed potato products to the market. Corporate Identity and Director Insight The name “Mc Patel” itself reflects a core aspect of the company’s identity, as the founders “belong to the Patel family”. The directors, whose home state is Gujarat, leverage their local heritage and connections. Their background allows them to have a strong “connect and reach with the farmers and with everyone”. The directors are not only founders but are deeply invested in the operational side, particularly concerning raw material sourcing and farming relationships. Vision, Implementation, and Rapid Growth Despite being a young company, McPatel demonstrated rapid execution, a hallmark of their early operations. With a strong vision, the company initiated its production facility within a year of its inception, ensuring the facility was equipped with “all the best-in-class machineries”. They successfully launched both domestic and export sales within the year of starting production. The current production facility demonstrates a significant capacity even in its initial phase. The facility currently utilizes raw potatoes at a rate of 10 to 12 tons per hour. This raw material consumption translates into finished goods output of 5 tons per hour of frozen French fries. Additionally, recognizing the complementary nature of potato processing, McPatel also established a line for dehydrated potato flakes, currently running at a capacity of 500 kg per hour. Deep Commitment to Contract Farming A critical element of McPatel’s operation and philosophy is its integrated approach to raw material sourcing, centred on contract farming. Given that the founders belong to the Patel family and are closely connected to the farming community, this relationship is foundational. McPatel actively engages in contract farming with producers in Gujarat and neighbouring states. This partnership goes beyond simple purchasing; the company provides significant support to the farmers. Specifically, McPatel helps farmers grow by supplying essential raw materials, such as the specialized potato seeds needed for processing. Furthermore, the company aids them with knowledge regarding plantations and farming techniques. The commitment is cemented by a buy-back agreement, where McPatel purchases the raw potatoes produced under these contracts for use in their factories. This strategy ensures a consistent, high-quality supply of potatoes necessary for best-in-class frozen products. The company has emphasized its plan to “grow with our farmers”. Ambitious Future Expansion Plans McPatel Foods has laid out highly ambitious expansion goals slated for implementation within the coming three years. This expansion is multifaceted, targeting increased raw material handling, greater output of existing products, and diversification into new product lines. The planned expansion will dramatically increase the raw potato processing capability. The current consumption of 10 to 12 tons of raw material per hour is intended to expand substantially, reaching a future capacity of 40 to 50 tons of raw material (potatoes) per hour. In terms of finished goods, the frozen French fries line will see a major upgrade. An additional production line is planned, which will add approximately 20 tons per hour of capacity for frozen French fries. Complementing this, the dehydrated potato flake line is also set for expansion, targeting an increased capacity up to 1.2 tons per hour. Significantly, the expansion includes diversification into specialized products. The company plans to introduce a potato speciality line, which will include products such as hash browns, burger patties , aloo Tikki, and other potato speciality products. This comprehensive expansion plan, projected to be completed within two years, underlines McPatel’s commitment to capturing a larger share of the developing Indian frozen food market.

मैकपटेल फूड्स की कहानी: यूरोप में एक साझेदारी का निर्माण मैकपटेल फूड्स 2023 में चार संस्थापकों के बीच साझा दृष्टिकोण से उभरा, जिसका उद्देश्य भारतीय बाजार में जमी हुई खाद्य पदार्थों के क्षेत्र में क्रांति लाना था। कंपनी का दृष्टिकोण, जिसे चार निदेशकों और संस्थापकों — करण सारोड़िया, आदित्य पटेल, कीरत हरनिया, और जिनेश पटेल — द्वारा सामूहिक रूप से विकसित किया गया था, को स्पष्ट रूप से परिभाषित किया गया था ताकि भारतीय ग्राहकों को सर्वोत्तम गुणवत्ता वाले उत्पाद प्रदान किए जा सकें, साथ ही निर्यात बाजार पर भी ध्यान केंद्रित किया जा सके। कंपनी ने विशेष रूप से जमी हुई आलू फ्राइज़ पर ध्यान केंद्रित करते हुए अपने संचालन की स्थापना की। मैकपटेल फूड्स का निर्माण चार निदेशकों द्वारा किए गए एक विशेष, प्रभावशाली यात्रा का परिणाम था। वे पहले से ही अलग-अलग उद्योगों से परिचित थे। यह महत्वपूर्ण क्षण तब हुआ जब वे सभी 2023 के अंत में अनुगा यूरोप व्यापार मेले में भाग लेने गए, जिसका उद्देश्य जमी हुई खाद्य पदार्थों के बाजार का अन्वेषण करना था। इसी अन्वेषण के दौरान मैकपटेल फूड्स का विचार उत्पन्न हुआ, जिससे कंपनी क...
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West Bengal’s Sanjoy Guha Roy Identifies Why Potato Crops Fail Every Year. In India, the potato is more than just a vegetable—it is a staple, a livelihood, and a cornerstone of food security—a silent enemy has long eluded the grasp of science. For decades, farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plains have watched in despair as their lush green fields turned into a blackened, rotting mass within days. This devastation is caused by Late Blight, a disease triggered by the notorious oomycete Phytophthora infestans. While the symptoms were well-known, the source of the recurring infection remained a subject of intense debate. A groundbreaking study led by Professor Sanjoy Guha Roy from the Department of Botany at West Bengal State University (Barasat) has finally unmasked the culprit. Published in the prestigious journal Phytopathology—the century-old flagship publication of the American Phytopathological Society—the research identifies seed potatoes as the primary reservoir for the disease. Specifically, the study reveals that even “high-tech” seed potatoes, produced under laboratory conditions, harbor hidden, dormant infections that bridge the gap between cropping seasons. The Historical Ghost and Modern Economic Toll To understand the weight of this discovery, one must look back at the 1840s. Phytophthora infestans was the primary cause of the Great Irish Potato Famine, which led to the death of over a million people and changed the course of history through mass migration. In modern India, the second-largest potato producer in the world, the pathogen remains a formidable foe. Link According to the research team, Late Blight claims approximately 15% of India’s total potato production annually. In monetary terms, this translates to a staggering loss of roughly ₹2,700 crore. In years where the disease takes an epidemic form, the losses can be even more catastrophic, pushing debt-ridden farmers to the brink of suicide. Despite the use of expensive fungicides, the disease frequently returns, leading scientists to ask: where does the pathogen hide during the blistering Indian summer when the soil temperature becomes too high for it to survive? The Myth of Soil-Borne Survival In many parts of the world, Late Blight survives in the soil through thick-walled structures called oospores. However, in the tropical and sub-tropical plains of India, the intense heat of the “off-season” (summer) was long thought to be lethal to the pathogen. Some experts theorized that the infection migrated every year from the cooler Himalayan regions or survived in alternative host plants. Professor Guha Roy’s research has effectively debunked these theories for the Indian plains. Through rigorous soil testing and experimental trials under high-temperature conditions, the team found no evidence of the pathogen surviving in the soil between seasons. Instead, they turned their attention to the seed tubers themselves. The study involved testing over 7,000 seed potatoes that appeared perfectly healthy to the naked eye. Using advanced molecular diagnostics and genetic analysis, the researchers discovered that approximately 1.6% of these “healthy” seeds were actually asymptomatic carriers. These tubers contained the pathogen in a dormant state, waiting for the cooler, humid conditions of the winter planting season to reactivate and spread to the rest of the crop. The Paradox of High-Tech Seed Production One of the most alarming findings of the study is that even modern seed production systems are not immune. Today, many farmers rely on seeds produced via tissue culture in specialized labs. These “Pre-Basic” seeds are initially pathogen-free. However, before they reach the farmer, they must be “multiplied” in the field or in greenhouses (often called net-houses or glasshouses) to produce enough volume for commercial sale. Link The researchers identified this multiplication phase as the critical point of failure. In many potato-growing regions, such as Punjab and West Bengal, these seed-multiplication nurseries are located in close proximity to commercial potato fields. During the growing season, spores from infected commercial crops can easily find their way into the supposedly “protected” greenhouses through wind or human activity. Once the seed plants are infected, the pathogen hitches a ride inside the newly formed tubers, where it remains hidden throughout the summer storage period. The European Connection: A More Aggressive Lineage The research also provided a genetic profile of the enemy. The dominant strain currently wreaking havoc in India belongs to the “European clonal lineage,” specifically the genotype known as EU_13_A2. This lineage is significantly more aggressive than the strains previously found in India. It is also notably resistant to Metalaxyl, one of the most commonly used and affordable fungicides. The presence of this lineage explains why recent outbreaks have been so swift and difficult to control. By surviving inside the seed potato, this aggressive strain ensures its survival across seasons, effectively “seeding” the next epidemic even before the farmer has finished planting. Identifying the “Stem Lesion” Clue The study sheds light on how the disease begins its visible assault. In many cases, the infection starts not on the leaves, but as small, dark lesions on the stem of the plant. These stem lesions often go unnoticed by farmers in the early stages. However, they serve as a factory for spores that quickly wash down into the soil or blow across the field, leading to the rapid-fire destruction characteristic of Late Blight. The identification of stem-focused infection pathways is crucial for improving early warning systems. If farmers can be trained to look for these early indicators on the stems of emerging plants, they may be able to take preventative action before the entire field is compromised. A Roadmap for the Future The recognition of Professor Guha Roy’s work as an “Editor’s Pick” in Phytopathology highlights its global significance. It provides a clear directive for policymakers and agricultural scientists in India and other developing nations. To break the cycle of Late Blight, the following steps are essential: Stricter Certification and Monitoring: Current seed certification processes must include molecular testing for asymptomatic infections. Relying on visual inspection alone is clearly insufficient. Strategic Relocation of Nurseries: Seed multiplication should be moved to “blight-free” zones or areas geographically isolated from commercial potato crops to prevent cross-contamination. Modern Diagnostic Kits: There is an urgent need to develop affordable, field-level diagnostic kits that can help seed producers and government agencies identify latent infections in stored tubers. Integrated Management: Since the pathogen is now known to be seed-borne, farmers should be encouraged to use certified, tested seeds and adopt “prophylactic” (preventative) fungicide applications rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. Conclusion The work of the West Bengal State University research team marks a turning point in the fight against one of the world’s most devastating plant diseases. By identifying the humble seed potato as the secret hideout for Phytophthora infestans, they have provided the missing link in the epidemiological chain. As India strives to ensure food security for its growing population, protecting the potato crop is non-negotiable. This discovery not only honors the scientific excellence emerging from Bengal but also offers a beacon of hope for millions of farmers whose livelihoods depend on the health of their tubers. The “Silent Saboteur” has been found; the next challenge lies in making sure it has nowhere left to hide.

पश्चिम बंगाल के संजय गुहा रॉय ने पहचान की है कि हर साल आलू की फसलें क्यों असफल होती हैं। भारत में, आलू केवल एक सब्जी नहीं है—यह एक मुख्य खाद्य पदार्थ, जीवन यापन का साधन और खाद्य सुरक्षा का आधार है—एक मौन दुश्मन लंबे समय से विज्ञान की पकड़ से बाहर रहा है। दशकों से, इंडो-गंगेय मैदानों में किसान निराशा से देखते आ रहे हैं जब उनकी हरी-भरी फसलें कुछ ही दिनों में काले, सड़ते ढेर में बदल जाती हैं। यह विनाश लेट ब्लाइट द्वारा होता है, जो कुख्यात ओमीसाइट फाइटोफ्थोरा इंफेस्टन्स द्वारा उत्प्रेरित बीमारी है। जबकि लक्षण अच्छे से ज्ञात थे, पुनरावर्ती संक्रमण का स्रोत गहन बहस का विषय बना रहा। पश्चिम बंगाल राज्य विश्वविद्यालय (बराकपुर) के वनस्पति विज्ञान विभाग के प्रोफेसर संजय गुहा रॉय द्वारा किए गए एक क्रांतिकारी अध्ययन ने अंततः दोषी को बेनकाब कर दिया है। प्रतिष्ठित जर्नल फाइटोपैथोलॉजी में प्रकाशित—अमेरिकन फाइटोपैथोलॉजिकल सोसाइटी का शताब्दी पुराना प्रमुख प्रकाशन—यह शोध बीमारियों के प्राथमिक भंडार के रूप में आलू के बीजों की पहचान करता है। विशेष रूप से, अध्ययन में यह खुलासा किया गया है कि यहां तक कि “उच्...
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