Ukrainians have been told the reasons for the increase in potato prices: what price to expect in 2025.

The owner of the farm "Adelaide" Serhiy Rybalka explained the reasons for the increase in potato prices and its cost. This information is reported by "Khvylia", which refers to an interview with the Economic Truth.

Potatoes have always been one of the main food products in Ukraine and occupy an important place in the diet of every family. This vegetable, known as "second bread", is essential in the food basket, and the cost of potatoes has a direct impact on the family budget.

According to Rybalka, the cost of potatoes consists of two parts: costs of cultivation and yield. To get the harvest, it is necessary to spend as much money as in the European Union, namely: four thousand euros per hectare (about 180 thousand hryvnias).

"From a hectare we can get different yields: two years ago, we gathered 27 tons, last year — 31, and this year - 34-35. It seems that this will be a year with high income. But it will not, because 70% of the potatoes grown are sold under contracts for chip manufacturers and processing. The revenue from 70% of potatoes is 8 hryvnias per kilogram, although the market price is 20 hryvnias," he said.

Rybalka also emphasized that next year the price of potatoes with VAT will be 9.7 hryvnias. However, this is not because this year it is 20 hryvnias, but because potatoes are underestimated here.

"Last year, the market price per potato was 4.5 hryvnias, and the contract price was 7.8 hryvnias. It was profitable. Professional potato production should focus on processing. In Belgium, they grow 7.5 million tons of potatoes and process almost 7 million. In Ukraine, they grow 20 million tons, but process only 320 thousand... Major expenses are seeds (20-25% of costs), equipment and spare parts, fuel and lubricants (10%), and salaries," explained the owner of the farm "Adelaide".

He also described the reasons for the rise in potato prices. Firstly, it is a significant decrease in yield due to drought. Secondly, potatoes stopped being grown on garden plots.

"People do not want to do this. Drought in August and September did not allow potatoes to grow, i.e., the supply on the market decreased. At the same Time, the state stopped buying potatoes. The decrease in supply amidst growing demand led to higher prices. Someone writes that the price of potatoes will be 40-45 hryvnias per kilogram. Be curious, there will be potatoes. They are already importing potatoes from the EU and Kazakhstan.

In my opinion, the situation will stabilize by December. The price may change slightly in the future, but the main unfavorable price will remain because the EU has a good harvest and they will bring it here," added the owner of the farm "Adelaide".

According to Rybalka, potatoes will also be taken from other countries, including Belarus. Russia does not have its own potatoes.

Let us recall that the NBU warned about a sharp increase in the prices of dairy products, eggs, and oil after the New Year.