Against the backdrop of a sharp increase in potato prices in several regions of Kazakhstan, the government has decided to impose a six-month export restriction on the vegetable to third countries, Tengrinews.kz reports.
According to the government press service, under the instruction of the Prime Minister, the ministries of agriculture, trade, and integration are conducting ongoing monitoring of the situation in the country's potato market.
"Due to the increased demand from neighboring countries, especially Uzbekistan, and the high export prices this year, potato exports have risen by 1.5 times, from 411 thousand tons to 605 thousand tons. The surge in demand has impacted the domestic market. Over the past week, there has been a sharp increase in prices among export-oriented producers (from 170 to 270 tenge)," the government reported.
To stabilize potato prices in the domestic market, a decision was made to restrict potato exports to third countries for a period of 6 months during the meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Trade Issues held on January 18.
"This measure does not apply to EAEU countries; however, exports in this direction will be monitored. Additionally, considering the current situation, the issuance of phytosanitary certificates for export was completely suspended on January 16," the government explained.
It is noted that the measures taken aim to ensure price stability for potatoes, prevent unjustified price increases, and prohibit speculative actions by market participants.
Furthermore, territorial bodies of the Ministry of Trade and Integration, along with the territorial divisions of the antimonopoly agency, promise to conduct enhanced monitoring of the situation, and in case of violations of existing legislation regarding trade activities, they will take immediate action against market participants.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there are currently sufficient stocks to fully cover domestic needs until the early harvest of 2025. As of January 19, stocks amount to over 850 thousand tons, not including reserves in trading networks (600 thousand tons with the potato producers' association, 68 thousand tons in stabilization funds, and over 200 thousand tons in storage facilities of household plots and small farms).
It is worth noting that the gross potato harvest in 2024 amounted to 2.9 million tons (including the early harvest - 300 thousand tons). Imports for 2024 totaled 56 thousand tons. The volume of potatoes available for market distribution from August 2024 is 2.6 million tons, with a total population need of 1.5 million tons (including urban demand of 954 thousand tons) until the early harvest (January-April). From August to December 2024, consumption reached 844 thousand tons, while 620 thousand tons were exported (from January to December 2024). The forecasted consumption volume for 2025 (January-April) is 675 thousand tons.
Recall that potato prices have surged in various regions of the country.
In Aktobe, at the beginning of January, the price per kilogram was no more than 200 tenge. Over the past week, the cost doubled. Yesterday, supermarkets were charging 388 tenge per kilogram. However, the product does not look marketable: many tubers are spoiled.
In the Zhetysu region, known for its potato production, the price for this product has exceeded 400 tenge. However, the quality is much better than the potatoes available on the Aktobe shelves.
In Pavlodar, the market price for homemade potatoes is 400 tenge per kilogram. In local stores, "the second bread" is sold for 320 tenge per kilogram. In the suburbs of Pavlodar, potatoes are priced at 350 tenge.
In Kyzylorda, Pavlodar potatoes are sold for 360 tenge per kilogram. In social stores, local products cost 135 tenge. In East Kazakhstan, the price for a kilogram of potatoes reaches up to 446 tenge.
The most expensive potatoes are sold in Astana. A kilogram of selected potatoes is priced at 455 tenge in stores. In some retail outlets, the product is either out of stock or only remnants are available.