Bhubaneswar: Odisha continues to depend significantly on several other states for the supply of various essential food commodities, the State Assembly was informed recently.

Replying to a query in the House, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, in a written statement, said that the state sources a substantial portion of its key food items from outside due to limited local production and supply gaps.

He informed that potatoes consumed across Odisha are primarily brought from neighbouring West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, which remain the major suppliers to the state markets. These states cater to a large share of the demand as local production is insufficient to meet the overall consumption needs of the state.

Despite vast coastline, state depends on others even for salt

Similarly, onions are being brought into the state from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and West Bengal. The minister further pointed out that Odisha depends on Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar for wheat supply. For pulses and other pulse varieties, the state relies on Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. Sugar consumed in the state is mainly sourced from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Interestingly, despite having a coastline of around 480 kilometres, Odisha depends on states such as Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for salt supply. The state’s annual requirement of salt is estimated at around 2.08 lakh metric tonnes, he said.

The information highlights Odisha’s significant dependence on other states for meeting its demand for several essential food items.

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