Potato prices are breaking records both in Poland and in the EU.
According to Eurostat, preliminary estimates of agricultural price indices for 2023 indicate a departure from the strong price increases of 2021 and 2022. However, the exception is potatoes!
According to the EU statistical office, potatoes (including seed potatoes), after olive oil, increased in price the most in the EU in 2023 when it comes to the surveyed agricultural goods: by a total of 23%.
Europe hasn’t had such potato prices for a long time
As Eurostat points out in its announcement, the widespread drought in 2023 affected the production level of many crops, including potatoes. And this, in turn, resulted in an increase in potato prices in 24 EU countries. Prices grew fastest in Germany (49%), Slovakia (48%) and Croatia (44%). Decreases were recorded in three countries: Belgium (-18%), Cyprus (-14%) and Austria (-4%).
Potatoes in Poland also hold their price
In Poland, according to Central Statistical Office data, in December 2023, purchased potatoes paid PLN 111.11 per dt, i.e. 44.0% more than in November 2023 and 12.9% more than in the same period of 2022.
As admitted by the Central Statistical Office, a significant increase in prices in December last year compared to the previous month was caused by the purchase of late potatoes, the share of which in the purchase amounted to almost 50%.
It’s also more expensive at the markets. According to the Central Statistical Office, the price of potatoes in December last year (PLN 227.02 per dt) remained at the level of November 2023, but increased by 31.0% compared to December 2022.
What are the prices on wholesale markets?
On the market square in Bronisze near Warsaw a kilogram of domestic potatoes cost on January 30 this year. PLN 1.75 – 2.00 (average PLN 1.85). The Irga variety was offered at the price of PLN 2.00-2.45/kg (average PLN 2.25). Imported potatoes could be bought for PLN 2.00-2.50/kg, and young potatoes for PLN 3.00-3.75/kg.
Already wholesale market in Radom potatoes were offered on January 30 this year. PLN 1.70-2.30/kg.
Already Elizówka in Lublin domestic potatoes could be bought (data from January 26 this year) for PLN 1.70-2.00/kg (average PLN 1.85/kg), and imported (young) potatoes for PLN 4.25/kg.
Already Targpiast in Wrocław (data from January 29 this year) domestic potatoes were offered at PLN 1.50-2.50/kg.
Already Agrohurt in Rzeszów (data from January 25 this year) domestic potatoes could be bought for PLN 1.80-2.00/kg (PLN 1.90/kg on average).
Already Kalisz Stock Exchange for a 15 kg bag of potatoes you have to pay PLN 25 (data as of January 30 this year).
Already Gdańsk Renek a kilogram of potatoes costs approximately PLN 1.33 (data as of January 25 this year).
Already Podlasie wholesale market in Bialystok potatoes are offered at PLN 1.80/kg, young potatoes at PLN 2.80/kg (data from January 26 this year)
For comparison, potato prices at the beginning of September 2023 can be seen in the material below:
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