This year, Kazakhstan has seen high demand for potatoes from neighbouring countries. In addition to traditional buyers like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, shipments are also heading to Russia. However, experts believe there's no reason to fear a potato shortage in the country, nor do they anticipate a sharp price increase.
"Farmers are selling potatoes for between €0.2 and €0.3 per kilogram, depending on the quality, which varies due to high humidity," expert Kairat Bisetaev explained.
Potato growers are pleased with these prices, which are dictated by market conditions. Uzbekistan, the main importer of Kazakhstani potatoes, purchases about 280-300 thousand tons annually. This season, Russia also plans to buy 150,000 tons of potatoes from Kazakhstan, a change as there was no export to Russia last year due to their sufficient domestic supply.
Due to the peculiarities of potato storage, Kazakhstan sells its harvest in autumn and winter and starts importing in spring. These annual flows ensure a year-round potato supply for the population. Moreover, the option to import allows for price regulation under market conditions.
"If we need to import, there will be no problem: the Iranian, Pakistani, and Kyrgyzstani markets can easily meet our demands. So, we will always have potatoes physically. Prices will adjust because the potato business always operates on market mechanisms. If producers raise prices too much, Pakistani or Iranian potatoes quickly enter the market and stabilize prices. When the price drops to a certain level, import volumes slow down," the expert clarified.
Kairat Bisetaev emphasized that this market mechanism works effectively in warehouse pricing.
Source: eldala.kz