Shortage of gunny bags may create hindrances in kharif procurement,starting November, with the jute industry failing to supply the required quantity of jute bags to pack and store the crops.
While average spot prices of raw jute are hovering at around Rs 6,000 per quintal, much above the average MSP of Rs 4,225 per quintal for the jute year 2020-21, the textile ministry has barred stocking more than 1,500 quintal of raw jute in one’s own account asking to sell out the excess stock from August 25 onwards. Despite the jute commissioner’s office ordering regular inspection of godowns to prevent stocking beyond the prescribed limit, hoarding is in continuance disrupting supplies, industry sources said.
The jute mills, confronting a raw material crisis with low yields of raw jute for the Amphan in West Bengal and floods in Assam,are also combating price rigging and hoarding of the golden fibre thereof putting the industry in a disarray, according to a highly placed textile ministry official.
