September 17 2008, 09:03

Latvia: potatoes rot on the fields

The agrarian have no opportunity to conduct harvesting because of frequent and abundant rains, potatoes have already started to rot on the fields, reported Anda Rutenberg, the Head of the Latvian Union of potato growers and processors.

According to Rutenberg, potato harvest this year depends on its variety.

There are varieties with 30-35 t/ha yield, other give less than 20 t/ha, news agency “LETA” reported.

The purchasing prices for potatoes vary within $0.22- 0.30/kg. However, in order to compensate their work the agrarians need to get at least $0.30 – 0.40/ kg. The retail prices vary within a range of $0.16-0.80/kg. The produce can be bought at the price $0.18 – 0.5/kg on the markets of Riga, on market of Valmiera and Rezekne – $0.18– 0.82/kg.

According to A. Rutenberg, this year potato production costs have increased due to100 % rise in prices for mineral fertilizers as well as the prices growth for crop protecting agents and fuel.

Andrei Hansons, the General Director of Aloja-Starkelsen, said that this autumn the enterprise has not started production of potato starch due to lack of potatoes.

The purchasing prices for potatoes are at $81.75 per tonne. This year, it is expected that the enterprise will process only 10-12 tonnes of potatoes.

Last year, Latvia harvested potatoes throughout 40.300 ha, less 10.6 % compared to the previous year. The average yield of potatoes increased by 37 c/ha.