Potato prices decline in Ukraine
As of today, the active harvesting of early potato proceeds in the majority of the regions of Ukraine. It initiates the rapid price decline on markets, ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly" informs. One week ago the producers could easily keep the sales prices on the level $0.7-0.8/kg. At the present moment most sellers have reduced the price down to $0.3-0.6/kg; they are sure the price will further decline. The lowest price range $0.2/kg to 0.4/kg is observed on the markets of western region; in addition to other factors, such price can be explained by the regular contraband potato supplies from Poland.
The bulbs were purely set because of hot weather, in this regard many farms had to postpone the harvesting time at least for two weeks. This fact has let the prices keep on the relatively high position till the present moment.
At the same time, the harvest of early potato does not bring joy in the farms. The farmers expected to harvest not less than 15-20 tons per ha this season; however, the fact is that the yield seldom exceeds 10-12 tons/ha because of long drought in the central and southern regions of the country.
The producers also worry about the situation with the later potato varieties. This harvest will suffer much if the weather is droughty till the end of month.