Ukrainian young potatoes at the end of May cost almost twice as much as imported ones. However, they significantly surpass the foreign vegetable in quality, said Nikolai Furdyga, a candidate of agricultural sciences and director of the Potato Growing Institute of NAAS, in a comment to UNIAN.
"Imported is not quite young potatoes. Young potatoes are those that have a week from harvest to consumption, when they develop their skin. When they are transported to us for a month, the skin becomes tougher and it does not quite meet the criteria for young potatoes," explains Furdyga.
By June, potatoes from this year's Ukrainian harvest will be cheaper than imported ones, assures the specialist.
"Azerbaijan is offering between 50 and 60 hryvnias per kilogram. Ukrainian potatoes are currently fluctuating between 100 and 130 hryvnias. This is typically greenhouse potatoes available in the market right now. Later, field-grown potatoes will come under agro-textile and film. We expect our field potatoes to be available by mid-June, which will be priced lower compared to foreign ones," Furdyga tells us.
Early potatoes are currently being supplied to Ukraine from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and several other Asian countries in Central Asia. Their potato growing season starts earlier, so they are still cheaper than Ukrainian potatoes even considering logistics, notes the expert.
"They are cheaper because the growing conditions in those countries are suitable for potatoes at this time of year. Meanwhile, our season is still ahead. This is a seasonal phenomenon, it is short-lived and does not have a significant impact. Still, people are waiting for Ukrainian potatoes because they are of better quality and essentially go from field to table," Furdyga summarizes.
