In a recent interview with FreshPlaza’s Nick Peters, the Vice-President of the Ukrainian Potato Growers Association, Nick Gordiichuk, shed light on the mounting challenges facing the country’s potato industry. The Ukrainian potato industry is grappling with a host of challenges, from erratic weather patterns to the ongoing war with Russia, Gordiichuk said.
A wet spring followed by a dry summer has delayed planting by up to three weeks in some regions, affecting both yield and quality. The war has led to the departure of over six million Ukrainians, mainly women and children, shrinking the domestic consumer market and reducing orders from processors.
Input costs have surged, with prices for fertilizers, crop protection chemicals, and seeds rising by an average of 40% compared to last season. Despite these challenges, the area under potato cultivation has not decreased, as the crop provides employment in rural areas.
The Moldovan market has become a key export destination for Ukrainian potatoes, although prices are currently low and volatile. Gordiichuk anticipates that an excess supply could further depress prices in the coming months.
Source: FreshPlaza. Read the full story here
Cover image: Nick Gordiichuk. Credit and courtesy FreshPlaza
