November 15 2007, 17:01

Russia: potato prices started to increase

The specialists of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" inform about price growth for potato in Russia.

The market players of most regions of Russian Federation inform that the total quantity of potato supplies has declined because of weather. In its turn, this factor stimulated price growth. As a rule, potato from piles is sold in this period of year. However, because of the declined average daily temperature and snowfalls the sales of potato from piles are suspended now. At the present moment those sellers trade potato, who do not have needed conditions to storage the product. Taking into account the limited supplies on market, they increase the sales prices. It is worth mentioning that the sellers do not observe the sales to slow down even after the prices have been increased. Some of them even record the increase of shipped volumes.

Potato holders - the owners of the specially equipped storages declare the maximal levels of sales prices. This step is actually equal to stopped sales as potato often remains unsold for such prices.

There is other important factor with presently positively influences the prices - it is the declined potato yield in most parts of the regions of Russian Federation because of hot and droughty weather in the moment of ripening of bulbs.

As of today, the general price range for potato is $0.26-0.48/kg on Russian market. One week ago potato shipments were freely sold for the price within the limits $0.22-0.36/kg.