This year, Ukrainians faced a sharp increase in the price of vegetables, in particular potatoes, which are one of the most popular products. Compared to last year, prices have doubled, and there are no prerequisites for a decrease yet.
Potatoes: causes and consequences of price increase
Oleksandr Horev, coordinator of the EastFruit Weekly Ukraine project, explained that the main cause of the crisis is the July drought, which significantly affected the harvest.
- Yield: even in professional farms, losses amount to more than 50%.
- Prices: potatoes currently cost 22-30 hryvnias per kilogram, depending on the variety, which is twice as much as last year (11-15 hryvnias).
Khorev emphasizes that even imports have not helped to stabilize the market, and sellers continue to keep prices high.
Carrots: followed by potatoes
Carrots were also affected by the weather conditions, with the price increasing by 82%.
- Average cost: 18-25 hryvnias per kilogram.
Ukrainian farmers for economic reasons refused to grow cucumbers in the autumn-winter period, so the market is filled with Turkish products.
- Prices: 80-110 hryvnias per kilogram, which is 25-26% more than last year.
Prices also rose on the market:
- Cabbage and onion.
- Eggplants: Imported products have caused prices to double.
As for fruit, price increases are observed due to seasonal demand:
- Oranges: 80-120 hryvnias (+15-20%).
- Tangerines: 90-120 hryvnias.
- Clementines: 50-60 hryvnias.
Experts predict that the situation with vegetable prices will remain tense, and Ukrainians will have to adapt to new market conditions.
