According to EastFruit’s price monitoring data, potato prices in Ukraine have been falling rapidly for the second week in a row; they currently do not exceed 6–12 hryvnias per kilogram ($0.13–0.29 per kilogram). This is one-third less than during the same period last year. In Poland, average prices are even lower—around $0.20/kg.
In Moldova, wholesale potato prices range from 5 to 6 lei per kilogram (an average of $0.33 per kilogram). This is $0.06–0.08 per kilogram higher than the regional average. According to Sergey Alba, an expert at Expert Agroteh, this situation is due to the fact that Moldova is a fairly “self-contained” market: there are virtually no potato exports or imports during this period. At the same time, market supply of this commodity is increasing as the mass harvest campaign gains momentum. At the same time, demand during the “vacation season” is traditionally below average. Consequently, over the next month, prices will gradually decline or stabilize at the current, relatively low level.
However, due to the drought, the potato harvest in Moldova—as in many countries in the region—will be significantly lower than last year’s. Prices will begin to rise—likely before the traditional seasonal increase in October–November.
