Potato harvest in Ukraine may decrease by 30%: what awaits the vegetable market

The acting first vice-president of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine Igor Grinnik shared the forecast for the potato and vegetable harvest this season. Farmers are facing significant risks due to unpredictable weather conditions such as a mild winter, spring cold fronts, and drought that may affect agricultural production.

'May rains have had a positive effect on potato development, but unexpected spring frosts and summer weather have created problems for farmers,' said Grinnik.

It is predicted that potato production may decrease by 25-30%, leading to a decrease in prices. One of the issues is the potential diseases of potatoes, which will also affect the market.

Price forecast for potatoes and vegetables

Grinnik emphasized the difficulty of predicting vegetable cultivation, especially under changing weather conditions and limited land resources. The recovery of enterprises in territories under occupation also affects the vegetable market.

'Potato prices may fluctuate from 12 to 18 UAH per kilogram wholesale and from 20 to 26 UAH per kilogram in retail,' he explained.

Currently, the forecasts for autumn are more optimistic, but the expert warns of possible price fluctuations in the future.

The stated forecast for potato and vegetable harvests in Ukraine this season indicates that farmers are facing risks due to contradictory weather conditions. This may lead to a reduction in potato production, crop diseases, and a decrease in potato prices. The forecasts for the vegetable market are also not stable, however, experts hope for a more favorable situation in autumn but emphasize the possibility of price fluctuations.