Potatoes - one of the worst seasons on record in Poland

2021-04-09 10:06

The mood of potato producers has been very pessimistic for a long time, and the passage of time brings no sign of improvement. This is the worst season in years, say growers, and fresh-market.pl price monitoring data confirm this assessment.

The end of February and the beginning of March were the last periods in which edible potato prices at the large wholesalers increased. The change was not large, around +11%, but it was there. After that, prices only got worse. At the moment, prices of yellow potatoes, calibre 45+, packed in 15 kg bags are usually between PLN 0.30-0.43/kg, depending on quality and variety. Potatoes with red skins are priced at PLN 0.33-0.50/kg, and those with white flesh at PLN 0.40-0.50/kg.

Our chart shows that the current average price at the large wholesaler is one of the lowest in the last decade, or even twelve years, because that's how many previous seasons the chart covers. Potatoes are now as much as 85 per cent cheaper than a year ago, with high production costs.

And this last set of prices is the whole truth about the Polish fresh potato market. Only in years of very low harvests are higher prices realistic. Potato consumption in Poland is declining and the export of these vegetables from Poland is blocked in almost all directions - to the EU by the bacteriosis issue and to Russia by the embargo. This leaves us with the uncertainty of Moldova, which won't buy much anyway, and possibly a country with a potato shortage in any given year. Now it has gone to the Ukraine, so the Poles have been able to sell some potatoes there and prices here are not yet lower.

In addition, the pandemic has hit potato processing, as European governments have blocked the catering industry for months. This is also hitting the consumption of fresh potatoes. Under these conditions, there is no chance of an improvement in prices. In May the new potato season will start, making it even more difficult to sell 'old' potatoes.

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