The pre-New Year period of 2024 brought an unexpected decrease in selling prices for potatoes in Ukraine. Despite farmers' expectations that the price of the vegetable will continue to rise, wholesale buyers did not support this, citing a decrease in demand.
According to EastFruit analysts, potatoes are currently sold at a price of UAH 18-28/kg ($0.43-0.67/kg), depending on their quality, variety, and lot size. Compared to the end of the last working week, it is 12% cheaper .
Reasons for price reduction:
- Weakening of demand among consumers.
- Stable imports , which creates additional competition for Ukrainian manufacturers.
At the same time, imported products, mostly of mediocre quality, also hold back the sale of local potatoes.
Despite the decrease in prices, farmers are satisfied with the results of this season. In 2024, potato prices in Ukraine increased by an average of 41% compared to last year. The main reasons for this increase in price are:
- Yield reduction due to adverse weather conditions.
- Deterioration of the quality of stored products.
Prices in supermarkets
Potato prices in popular Ukrainian chains are as follows:
- Auchan - UAH 28.90/kg.
- ATB - UAH 27.89/kg.
- Silpo - from UAH 28.50/kg.
Market of other products: trends
In addition to potatoes, there is an increase in the prices of other products on the market.
- Oleg Pendzyn, executive director of the Economic Discussion Club, reported a sharp increase in the price of red caviar due to import dependence and currency fluctuations.
- Maksym Hopka from UKAB stated that the price of butter has increased by 80% and has no tendency to decrease.
Seasonal fluctuations in potato prices before the New Year are natural, but the situation with imports and reduced demand may create short-term stability in the market. At the same time, the general increase in food prices in Ukraine remains a challenge for consumers in 2024.
