Potato prices in Ukraine have begun to decline this week as growers attempt to move products unsuitable for long-term storage. According to EastFruit, cited by 24 Kanal, producers last week were still able to maintain wholesale prices, but it became clear at the start of this week that selling non-storable volumes before the onset of frost would be difficult at previous price levels.
By mid-week, growers in the main production regions started lowering their selling prices in an effort to restore buyer interest. Quality potatoes are now being offered at 7–13 UAH/kg (€0.16–€0.30/kg), which is on average 14% below last week's levels.
Producers holding higher-quality stocks are choosing to delay sales, expecting potential market improvements. Current prices are already about 58% lower than at the same time last year.
Retail prices remain higher. According to Minfin, supermarket prices range from 12 UAH/kg (€0.27/kg) in ATB to 18 UAH/kg (€0.41/kg) in Silpo.
Industry representatives do not expect any winter shortages. However, the price of Ukrainian potatoes will largely depend on developments in the European market, where an oversupply and record-low prices are reported. This could increase imports of cheaper European produce into Ukraine.
Olha Samoylichenko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Association of Potato Producers, noted that European potatoes are currently 3–5 UAH/kg (€0.07–€0.11/kg) cheaper than Ukrainian ones, increasing competitive pressure on domestic growers. At the same time, she emphasized that Ukrainian consumers traditionally prefer potatoes grown in Ukraine, regardless of whether the varieties are of local or foreign breeding.
Source: 24tv.ua / komersant.ua
