The Ukrainian market has begun to receive one of the most anticipated spring products – new potatoes. However, the prices for domestic vegetables have turned out to be 2-3.8 times higher compared to imported products. According to forecasts, by mid-May, the price may decrease by at least half.
This is reported by Finway
According to information from AgroReview, the current price of new Ukrainian potatoes in markets and supermarkets ranges from 95 to 140 UAH/kg, while potatoes imported from Egypt or Israel are sold for 36-42 UAH/kg. These are practically the same prices as last year’s potatoes, which are sold at an average of 33 UAH/kg.
Serhiy Rybalka, head of a farming enterprise in Zhytomyr region, explains the high prices of new Ukrainian potatoes by the high cost of their cultivation and limited supply. However, he predicts that by mid-May, new potatoes grown under agrotextiles may decrease in price by at least half.
Final prices, however, depend on weather conditions and the further situation in the consumer market. In Ukraine, the average daily consumption of new potatoes is about 5 tons, indicating a low demand. Ukrainians usually buy new potatoes not for storage but to enjoy the new harvest.
The high price also leads to new potatoes often not being sold and spoiling. Serhiy Rybalka notes that for Ukrainians, “old potatoes are food, while new potatoes are a treat,” which explains the lack of high demand for them. Additionally, on store shelves, one can find imported potatoes that are not new, as they are grown with lower costs and are significantly cheaper. The production cost of such products is approximately three times lower than that of new Ukrainian potatoes.