Many potato production areas suffered from poor weather conditions that affected the product quality of potatoes, and prices dropped as a result. The reduced production volume, however, slowed down the price decrease, which in the end remained relatively stable.
The price has been relatively low in the last two years. In addition, farmers in north China plant less potatoes or completely shift to other crops. As a result, the overall surface area devoted to potato plantation in north China decreased by 17% in comparison with last year.
Domestic potato production in the last two years far exceeded demand, but that development softened this year. Now that supply and demand are more in balance, the overall market conditions improved. Still, because potatoes will enter the market in bulk in October, the price is relatively low. After the last week of October, when traders stop purchasing potatoes to stock their warehouses, then the price is expected to rise.
Source: cnr.cn