November 6 2006, 09:01

Czech Republic will import potato for the first time in history

Czech Republic will have to import potato this season because of potato shortage for the first time in the country history, Global Potato News informs. The National Association of Potato Growers (UBS) reports that the main reason is the reduction of potato cultivation areas. This fact coincided with the low yield in season 2006. According to the official statistics, this year potato harvest is 670,000 tons in Czech Republic; this figure is 30% lower than in the pervious year.

Maxim Yenchenko, the Market Information Specialist of the Agricultural Marketing Project in Ukraine points out that Ukraine could fill up potato shortage in Czech Republic, because our country annually produces around 20 mln. tons of potato. However, relatively low quality of the most part of Ukrainian potato will hardly satisfy Czech demand. Still, supplies are quite possible.

To hear more about this and other exporting opportunities for Ukraine, visit the conference "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2006. Open Market".