Ukrainian potatoes are so fond of foreign purchasers that exporters continue to actively sell existing "potato assets" of the country.It would seem that one can only rejoice at the zeal of domestic farmers and be proud of their achievements, but the high demand abroad (especially in Azerbaijan and among Moldavian buyers) significantly affects the cost of potatoes for the Ukrainians themselves.

“The cost of a kilogram of potatoes reached its peak - we did not record such a price increase at the end of December in past years,” market analysts say.

Potatoes are getting smaller, the deficit provokes an increase in value, and today the Ukrainian consumer has to lay out six hryvnias for one kilogram of potatoes. For clarity, it is worth noting that at the beginning of the year, a kilogram package with potatoes cost 35% cheaper.

Another factor that is actively contributing to the increase in potato prices and its shortage in the market is the trick of the sellers. In the hope of selling as many potatoes as possible on New Year's Eve and making it as expensive as possible, farmers and distributors take care of their supplies until “better times”.

“Last year, we purchased potatoes from supplying farmers at a price that is 40% lower than today,” wholesale buyers complain. “Potato growers hold on to their product in order to sell it before the holidays and for some time after them.”