April 18 2006, 10:21

Potato price continues declining in Ukraine

According to the information provided to "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal by the Market Information Specialists of the Agricultural Marketing Project, the potato price decreased down to $0.33-0.37/kg on FARMER market in Troyeschina residential area in Kyiv. Later past week potato cost 5-7% more, and early April the price for this commodity was on level $0.41-0.47/kg. The top record potato price was observed in February, when an average price was kept on level $0.49/kg. The price has been decreasing since March till the present moment.

Potato price was significantly influenced by early potato import from Egypt. As to the specialists' evaluations, several thousands of tons have been imported to the country. And, potato was actively brought to Ukraine from Belarus and Russia, and smaller volumes were delivered from Poland. At the same time Ukrainian companies had some potato stocks in their storages; they kept potato hoping for a better price. When no hope for the further price growth left, potato remainders had hit the market. The price decline trend strengthened as a consequence.

Not more than two months are left for the companies to sell the remaining potato stocks, as newly harvested potato will actively enter the market soon. And, the demand for potato usually declines this time, as there are pretty lot early vegetables on market: many Ukrainians prefer them to potato. So, the potato price decline trend is likely to go on.