Potatoes started to rise in price in Uzbekistan. Over the past two weeks, average wholesale prices for products have increased by 17%, although until then they had remained stable since the beginning of August.
According to EastFruit, prices for potatoes in Uzbekistan are now at the highest level in the last three seasons: potatoes are sold at $ 0,33 per kg. In 2020, at this time, prices for potatoes did not exceed $ 0,29, and in 2019 - $ 0,23. The main reason for the rise in prices: the rise in prices for potatoes in the main supplying countries.
Potatoes are the main import position of the fruit and vegetable sector in Uzbekistan. Despite all efforts to substitute imports, the volume of potato imports into the country is constantly increasing.
The main suppliers of potatoes are Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Moreover, in 2020, Kazakhstan accounted for 76% of supplies. The peak of the import of potatoes from these countries usually falls precisely in September-November - the period of harvesting and the maximum supply of the product in the markets of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan.
In 2021, both in Russia and in Kazakhstan, prices are high and continue to grow rapidly. Potatoes in Uzbekistan are now cheaper than in exporting countries. To boost potato imports, Uzbekistan will need to either significantly increase domestic wholesale prices or find alternative suppliers.
According to official data, the volume of potato production in the first half of 2021 in Uzbekistan amounted to over 1,5 million tons of potatoes, which is 3,5% more than last year.