Potatoes in Russia have been getting more expensive for the third consecutive week, even though the harvest season is almost over. According to Rosstat, from October 8 to 14, prices for this staple food increased by 1.3%, from October 15 to 21 by 2%, and from October 22 to 28 by another 3.1%.
Since the beginning of the year, the cost of potatoes, according to official data, has already increased by 54.7%. Producers attribute this to a reduction in the size of planting areas, adverse weather conditions, rising transportation costs, etc.
"Last year, a record potato harvest was collected — 8.6 million tons. The wholesale price for it from agricultural producers until May this year was 0.11 euros per 1 kg. That means agrarians were trading their produce either at cost or below it. Therefore, compared to last year's level, there is a price increase," explained Alexey Krasilnikov, the executive director of the Potato Union.
This year, due to weather conditions, the potato harvest was smaller than last year. Moreover, the cost of production is rising due to high interest rates on loans, said Sergey Korshunov, the head of the Organic Farming Union board.
Source: eanews.ru