The humble potato seems to be following the onion price movements of last year, with a 40% surge in prices in the past one month to about Rs 35 per kg owing to a shortage in supply while the demand has increased for the staple.

In the major metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai potato is selling for Rs 30-45 per kg, depending on the variety and quality. In Mumbai, a kg of potato is commanding a price of Rs 35-45 while in Delhi and Kolkata prices are hovering between Rs 30-40 per kg.

Potato traders from Uttar Pradesh, the largest producer of the tuber, said prices are unlikely to come down till November, when the new crop starts coming in.

The surge in potato prices is largely due to lower production, which was also the case with onions last year. In some cities, onion prices last year breached the Rs 200 per kg mark due to a major supply crunch.