The Potato Union noted that in connection with the closure of part of the supply of potatoes from Egypt, there may be a danger of opening the market for Indian tubers, the low cost of which is often accompanied by the presence of pathogens. “We call on the vigilance of our quarantine authorities in connection with the possible threat of new bacterial and viral diseases ", - said the chief of staff of the Potato Union Tatiana Gubina.
Representatives of the potato industry explain that the presence of imported products on the Russian market is natural. At the same time, Russian potato producers are working to expand their presence, which allows to reduce the share of foreign supplies.
Previously, the bulk of imported potatoes was used for processing, now most of the raw materials are provided by local farmers, and imported products are imported to cover the seasonal shortage of potatoes on store shelves in spring and early summer. Not all producers manage to provide the required quality of storage, but many companies that have invested in the construction of modern storage facilities are ready to supply high-quality potatoes in the spring.
“We believe that right now, conscientious manufacturers are entering the shelf, who, due to technologies, were able to ensure long-term storage of products. They open their vaults and should receive a price premium for what they have been able to keep. Therefore, a sharp increase in imports from Egypt and India is now a threat to us, - explained Tatyana Gubina. - The threat also lies in the fact that some chains do not want to work with us, close the food ration cards of Russian producers and now stop buying domestic products - both potatoes and vegetables. This will lead to higher prices, because imported potatoes a priori cannot be cheaper than ours due to expensive logistics. "
The sale of potatoes at a higher price in the spring will enable the agricultural enterprise to invest in the modernization of the enterprise, buy better quality seeds, improve storage systems and ultimately reduce costs, according to the association of potato producers.
Source: https://fruitnews.ru