According to the Ministry of Agriculture, potato prices range from 5,000 UZS (€0.37) at discount fairs, to 10,000 UZS (€0.74) at other markets, while some social media users reported prices as high as 12,000 UZS (€0.89) per kilogram.
The price increase is mainly due to lower yields from autumn-planted fields. Potatoes are grown twice a year: early-season crops are harvested from April to July, while late-season crops are harvested in autumn and consumed until April. In 2024, the late harvest produced 1 million tons, meeting only 44% of the estimated 1.7 million-ton demand.
Additional factors include rising costs for seed potatoes, fertilizers, fuel, and other materials. Planting potatoes costs 2–2.5 times more than other crops. Since 2020, potato prices have risen by 173%, while fertilizer costs increased by 175%, diesel by 178%, electricity by 180%, and agrochemicals by 202%. The removal of VAT and water tax exemptions also impacted prices.
To stabilize the market, 9,900 tons of potatoes from reserves (which total 245,600 tons) have been released for sale. Uzbekistan has also imported over 94,000 tons from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Kyrgyzstan, with additional railway wagons allocated to boost supplies.
The Ministry of Agriculture expects prices to stabilize in February-March. A seasonal price drop is anticipated in April when the new harvest from 122,000 hectares reaches the market.
Source: www.spot.uz