Ukraine Increases Imports: Should We Stock Up on Cheap Potatoes.

An unexpected phenomenon has occurred in the Ukrainian potato market - the country has begun importing this product during the harvest season. According to EastFruit, since September 2024, Ukraine has already received three shipments of potatoes from Poland and Lithuania totaling $30,000.

This decision was driven by increased demand from wholesale companies and retail chains, as well as the prospect of a quality potato shortage due to worsening weather conditions. Economist Oleg Penzen forecasts further price increases for potatoes until spring.

The prices of the 'borscht set', including potatoes, are already showing noticeable growth. According to his forecasts, this trend will continue until spring, which is related not only to weather conditions but also to the overall decline in household incomes, which are shifting towards more affordable food products.

The Executive Director of the Ukrainian Potato Producers Association, Olga Samoylichenko, confirms a decrease in yield this year, especially in the south of the country, but the western and northern regions have not been as severely affected.

According to the statistics of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, since the beginning of the year, 15,356 thousand tons of potatoes have been imported for a total of $9.324 million, while exports amounted to only 760 tons for a total of $215,000.

Market experts predict further increases in potato prices, but more accurate assessments will be possible after the harvest ends in October. The situation is complicated by increased demand from the army and population migration.

Potato price increases are occurring not only in Ukraine but also in neighboring countries.