Potato prices in Ukraine continue to rise sharply due to limited supply on the market. Farmers, faced with the challenges of this season, are selling small volumes of the vegetable as they put most of their harvest into storage.
EastFruit analysts report that current wholesale prices for potatoes are fluctuating between UAH 15-20/kg ($0.36-0.48/kg), which is 18% more expensive compared to last week. Producers point to significant demand that exceeds supply, which is causing further price increases. Farmers are choosing to lay the maximum amount of quality products for long-term storage, believing that this will help them avoid losses in the future.
The market situation is also complicated by reports of a sharp decline in potato production in the northern and central regions of Ukraine due to drought. Compared to the same period in 2023, when potatoes were sold on average 65% cheaper, current wholesale prices are the highest in at least the last 7 years.
Producers believe that the reason for the price increase is related to a decrease in yields due to adverse weather conditions during the growing season, in particular, hot and dry weather that lasted throughout July.
