February 18 2011, 16:27 Fruit-Inform

Demand for seed potatoes surpassed all expectations in Ukraine

Demand for high-quality seed potatoes has surpassed all bold expectations in Ukraine in this season. As of today, prices for original seed potatoes of Dutch and German selection have already reached UAH 10-11/kg (EUR 0.93-1.02/kg). However, sharply increased demand cannot be compensated even by such prices.

Ukrainian companies trading in seed potatoes stopped acceptance of orders already in January, while usually sales are conducted at least till late March. Major buyers of imported seeds are big producers who have gained high profits from potato sales in this season and now plan to invest solid funds in seed bank renewal. The same strategy is kept by Russian companies; besides this, demand has also grown in EU countries. In such a way, in comparison with the previous season, competitiveness among producers increased several times, and supply decreased that led to price growth.

According to Fruit-Inform Project, absolute majority of Ukrainian and Russian farmers consider potato production to be the most profitable sector of fruit and vegetable business. Will such trends result in overproduction in the new season, and what changes should be expected in the market for potatoes and borsch vegetables (onions, cabbages, beets, carrots) in the nearest years? These and many other questions will be discussed during the third international conference “Potato and Vegetables of Ukraine-2011”.

This event is to take place at Shuvar wholesale market, Lvov, Ukraine, February 24-25, 2011. On-line registration is available through this link.