Latvian Vegetables on Store Shelves - Not Everywhere and with Reservations 0 12

"I would estimate the crop losses of vegetables this season, when a state of emergency has been declared in agriculture, at about one third. There are farms that are still harvesting beets and cabbage. Last weekend, rain prevented farmers in the Riga region from going out into the fields - about 40 millimeters of precipitation fell. The entire harvest is underwater," says Janis Berzins, head of the society 'Latvijas dārznieks'.

In turn, Janis Bushs, head of the cooperative 'Baltijas dārzeņi', notes that this year's season has seen the most damage to table beets - losses of its harvest reach 50-80%. The society 'Latvijas dārznieks' emphasizes: understanding and support from buyers are important for local farmers in such a challenging time. However, not all supermarket chains are responsive to local producers and even delay payment terms. Wholesale bases also primarily think about their own profit, not the benefit of producers.

Due to increased humidity, significant losses have also been recorded in potato harvests. Aiga Kraukle, chairwoman of the 'Latvijas kartupeļu audzētāju savienība', told the magazine 'Agro tops' that many farms, especially in Latgale, were unable to harvest all their potatoes. In the eastern part of Latvia, planting them was a challenge. However, large professional potato growers have gathered a good harvest. All of them are now very concerned. The reason is the good harvest collected in other European countries, which Latvian wholesale bases are now purchasing.

In the Potato Growers' Union, it is said that back in September, the purchase price at wholesale bases was at the level of 21-23 euro cents. Now prices have fallen to 17 cents per kilogram. Earlier this week, wholesale bases were buying potatoes grown in Poland for 12 cents per kilogram. However, the consumer in the store does not see this price drop and, most likely, will not see it. For example, in 'Rimi' stores, the cheapest potatoes at the beginning of this week cost 59 cents, while in 'Lidl', potatoes grown in Lithuania were 49 cents, and Latvian potatoes were 59 cents. Anyone can calculate how large the markup of wholesale traders and stores is. Potato growers also talk about the practice at wholesale bases of mixing Latvian potatoes in one package with tubers grown in other countries.