The European ban on Ukrainian potatoes is expected to remain in effect for the foreseeable future, largely due to the dissemination of misleading production figures.
“This situation arose because of inaccurate information suggesting that Ukraine is capable of producing 22 million tons of potatoes,” explained Ihor Shkurko, a candidate of economic sciences and the head of PJSC Chernihiv Elite Potato Research Institute, in an interview with Agroportal.ua.
“Such figures would imply that every fourth railcar or grain truck would be loaded with potatoes, which is simply not true. If 3 million tons were harvested this year, that’s already a strong outcome. In typical years, production is around 5 to 6 million tons,” Shkurko stated.
He also highlighted a significant decline in potato farming among private households. Many small-scale growers who previously cultivated about one hectare of potatoes have ceased production altogether.
“The ongoing war, labor shortages, and various other challenges will continue to suppress production levels next year,” Shkurko added.
Shkurko believes the hugely inflated estimate of 22 million tons, which falsely positions Ukraine as the fourth-largest potato producer in the world, has alarmed other global market players. This, in turn, has contributed to the implementation of quarantine restrictions, effectively barring Ukrainian potatoes from entering European markets.
Source: Agroportal.ua
Image: Credit Couleur from Pixabay
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