Ukraine’s potato production decreases, forcing record-breaking prices.

In 2024, Ukraine’s potato production declined by 18%, which amounts to four million tons less, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy Taras Vysotskyi said. This became one of the factors in the increase in the price of potatoes. However, there is no reason for potatoes to cost ₴50 per kilogram today.

Ukrainian potato prices are currently almost 200% higher than last year, although they traditionally do not rise during September’s active harvesting. Last week, potatoes were sold at ₴20-30 per kilogram ($0.48-0.73), which is on average 18% more expensive than at the end of the previous week.

The Deputy Minister explained that the current price is sufficient to cover costs even in conditions of reduced potato yield, and it also allows profitable import of this product if necessary. The formed price is realistic, but potato prices are predicted to increase by ₴10-15 per kilogram by spring 2025 due to increased crop storage costs.