Up by 150%: Potato prices have soared in Ukraine.

According to the wholesale agricultural market "Shuvar" in Lviv, the cost of potatoes as of today is on average 17.3 UAH/kg. This is 147% more than the same period last year when the price was 7 UAH/kg.

About this, Tatyana Popovych, head of the marketing department of "Shuvar," told Agroportal.

She noted that the potato situation in the country is characterized by stable supply, but with some regional peculiarities.

"The main cultivation regions traditionally remain the northern and western regions of Ukraine, such as Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Volyn regions. This year, part of the volume is also provided from the central regions, where farmers are actively increasing production," she noted.

The 2024 potato harvest is considered quite stable, despite previous concerns about weather conditions, especially the drought in August. However, the expert warns that some regions may still face reduced yields due to weather anomalies.

According to Popovych's forecasts, potato prices may rise in the coming month due to increased demand amidst decreased supply of early varieties and the transition to harvesting late ones. However, a significant price jump is not expected, as the overall supply volume remains on a stable level.

"The main factors that could affect the price increase are weather conditions, especially in the case of prolonged rains during the harvest, as well as rising energy and logistics costs," emphasizes the expert.

Earlier, we reported that in the midst of the harvest, Ukraine started importing potatoes. Ukrainians were answered whether they should stock up on this vegetable now.