India raises minimum price for potato exports
The Indian government has set a minimum export price (MEP) on potato exports in a bid to secure supplies to the domestic market and contain inflation. 
On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced a change in policy for export of the tuber, setting an MEP of US$450 per metric ton (MT).
Click here to see the notification from Director General of Foreign Trade, Pravir Kumar.
This comes at a time when the cost of essential food staples like potatoes and onions have been steadily rising in Indian states.
Price have reportedly risen by INR22-30 (US$0.37-0.50) per kg (2.2lbs) across several states and in the nation's capital.
Key potato producing states include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab and Uttaranchal, and India mainly exports to the overseas markets of Nepal, Russia, Kuwait, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
Earlier this year, export restrictions were lifted on onions following complaints from growers, however, on June 17 the government set another MEP of US$300 on the bulbous vegetable.
Click here for the notification on onions.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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