Despite a significant decrease in potato harvest this year due to drought, there are no grounds for a sharp price increase to 50 UAH per kilogram. This was stated by Taras Vysotsky, the First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine, during a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center.
Vysotsky noted that the decrease in harvest has indeed led to higher potato prices, but in the last 3-4 weeks, prices have stabilized at 25 UAH wholesale and 30 UAH retail, and are expected to remain at this level. According to him, the current price already covers the production costs, even with lower yield, and additional import volumes help stabilize the market.
"When the price reached 25 UAH, imports of potatoes from Poland and the Baltics began. The volumes are insignificant, but enough to curb speculative price increases," he explained.
However, as Vysotsky added, there are also no prerequisites for a decrease in potato prices. By spring, the cost may rise slightly—by 10-15%, at most up to 20%, mainly due to storage expenses, but it will not reach 50 UAH.
Previously, analyst of the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business, Maxim Hopka, predicted that in winter, potatoes in supermarkets could cost 55 UAH per kilogram, especially if a large portion of the products is imported by the beginning of next year.