Kolhapur: The Kolhapur Agricultural Produce Market Committee is set to take a call on Saturday on whether jaggery trading should be conducted on alternate days, following recent disruptions and concerns over quality.
The move comes after reports that buyers in Gujarat have been rejecting jaggery suspected to contain artificial colouring, citing health concerns. Traders have shown reluctance to purchase such stocks, leading commission agents to propose auctions on alternate days.
Trading had been suspended over the past two days amid separate issues involving traders and head-load workers. Farmers had also protested earlier by blocking the market entrance over the stand taken by traders and intermediaries.
Normal trading resumed on Thursday, easing immediate uncertainty. The market committee has instructed producers to avoid using colour in jaggery, even as it faces the challenge of addressing the issue on a long-term basis.
Traders have also urged the committee to adopt a clear and firm position on the use of colouring agents in jaggery.