Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Russia: potato prices lower year-on-year
Potato prices keep on falling in Russia. According to Fruit-Inform, potatoes became 10% less expensive in the southern and central regions last week. This means that prices have already fallen below last year's level. We would remind you that in early August 2011 minimum prices of potatoes were fixed at RUB 6/kg (EUR 0.15/kg). As at August 3 this year, ex-farm prices varied between RUB 4.50-5.00/kg (EUR 0.11-0.13/kg) in the southern and central regions of Russia.
Nevertheless, market experts expect an increase in potato prices in the country in the longer term that will be a distinctive peculiarity of the current season in comparison with the previous one.
The main factor to back higher prices will be lower potato yields in Russia and other CIS countries. In the previous season, weather conditions were close to perfect that together with an increase in producing areas enabled Russian farmers to gather record-breaking harvest. This year, according to producers' estimates, yields will be lower, as potatoes are suffering from drought in some regions. In addition, due to financial problems, many farms have to save on seed potatoes and plant protection products.
More detailed information about the Russian potato production, price and import prospects will be presented by Mr. Sergey Lupekhin, Chairman of Potato Union of Russia, at the 5th International Conference "Fruit & Vegetable Business of Russia – 2012" that will be held in conjunction with World Food Moscow, September 18, 2012.
To join the sector leaders, you should fill out an application form available here.
Would you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact International Relations Department of Fruit-Inform:
Ievgen Kuzin
phone: +380 (562) 321595, ext. - 341
cell: +380 96 5836323
email: [email protected]