The cost of potatoes in Ukraine is expected to start rising soon after a period of relatively low prices; however, a repeat of last year’s record figures is not anticipated. The main reason for the upcoming price increase is the reduction in stocks of quality potatoes, caused by a lack of specialized vegetable storage facilities.
This is reported by Finway
Factors Behind Low Potato Prices
At the end of April, large volumes of potatoes were sold wholesale at a price of 5–11 UAH per kilogram. This is half the price compared to the same period last year, when prices reached 13–23 UAH/kg. This situation arose due to a record harvest and an insufficient number of modern storage facilities. As a result, farmers were forced to quickly sell their harvest directly from the fields at minimal prices to prevent spoilage of the products.
“Currently, there is still plenty of cheap potatoes on the market; however, the share of quality products that meet supermarket requirements is rapidly decreasing. This will inevitably drive prices up.”
Price Dynamics Forecast and Market Prospects
Currently, cheap potatoes are still available on the market, but the supply of quality products is quickly diminishing. According to experts’ forecasts, wholesale prices are expected to rise to 10–13 UAH per kilogram soon, while retail prices will reach 18–22 UAH/kg depending on the region and trading format.
Experts note that a sharp price jump is not expected due to the presence of imported products and the rapid arrival of the first batches of young Ukrainian potatoes in the market. In the summer, the market will stabilize, and prices will remain at a lower level than last year. With the onset of autumn, a traditional seasonal decrease in potato prices is anticipated.
At the same time, there is a decrease in prices for greenhouse cucumbers in the vegetable market: they are currently being sold for 30–60 UAH per kilogram.