Golden Potatoes: Why Vegetable Prices Have Soared.

In 2024, vegetable prices in Ukraine have significantly increased and continue to rise. According to the 'Economic Truth,' the price of potatoes increased by 200%, and other vegetables have also become more expensive.

Of course, vegetable prices fluctuate depending on the season, peaking in April and reaching a minimum in August. However, in 2024, things have changed: the summer minimum was higher, and prices soared in the fall. This led to the cost of potatoes, tomatoes, and other vegetables being twice as high as last year's figures.

The main reasons for such a price increase: change in vegetable cultivation locations due to the war; hot summer that worsened the crop; reduction in land area for vegetables due to low profitability; overall increase in inflation in the country.

• Change in vegetable cultivation geography due to the war.
• The hot summer of 2024, which mostly affected southern regions, reducing the quantity and quality of the harvest.
• Reduction in land area for vegetables due to low profitability in the previous season.
• Overall increase in inflation in the country.

Experts note that cabbage, potatoes, and onion cultivation has suffered the most. According to Oleksandr Khorev, head of the project 'APK-Inform: Vegetables and Fruits,' the potato harvest has decreased by 20-50%.

The situation with tomatoes and cucumbers is also difficult. Due to the heat, a significant part of the open-ground harvest did not reach the market, and greenhouse vegetables, which are more expensive to produce, could not fully offset the deficit.

Experts predict further price increases. Denys Marchuk, deputy head of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, believes that the peak in price growth will occur in November-December.

However, there is hope for the stabilization of the situation. Vegetable imports, especially from Turkey, can stabilize prices. Moreover, the harvesting of late vegetable varieties will also increase supply in the market.

Despite the high prices, a shortage of vegetables is not anticipated. In case of a lack of certain products, it is possible to compensate with imports.

It is difficult to predict prices for 2025 due to unpredictable weather conditions and potential challenges for farmers.