Farmers Warn: Don't Expect Cheap Potatoes Anymore 0 15

"Potatoes are a very energy-intensive crop. Right now, farmers will spend a lot of money just to plant it," predicts Aiga Kraukle, chairwoman of the Union of Potato Growers and Processors.

Although costs are rising, there are no signs that potatoes will not be planted. "Those in this business don’t have much choice. They have already set aside money for seeds; what will they do with them now? At the same time, this is an opportunity for them to earn in the fall. Potatoes require a lot, but they also give a lot," Kraukle believes.

She suggests that gardens are unlikely to plant more potatoes to provide for themselves and their families: "There may not be a big boom. We see how this is happening this year due to the huge harvests in Europe. They have increased their acreage, and there were excellent conditions for an ideal harvest, which has led to a massive oversupply. Cheap potatoes have come to us. And now the [buyer] thinks - if I can buy it for 19 cents at the supermarket, why should I bother?"

According to the union led by Kraukle, the price of seed potatoes has increased by about 5% this year.

It should also be noted that in recent years, potato consumption has been declining. However, the amount of product being sent to processing plants - chip and starch production factories - is increasing. But there, it is taken at a fixed price.

Farmer and experienced potato grower Ilgvars Kruminsh assesses the situation as follows: "No one knew that the war would start, and no one knows when it will end and how it will ultimately affect prices. Whether it is speculation by fuel traders lasting several months or it will have a long-term effect - perhaps we will see this by Midsummer's Day."

Kruminsh assumes that the new season will be problematic, but right now, nothing can be predicted. According to him, the current situation can be described in one word - uncertainty.