New potatoes in Ukraine: Why prices are so high and when they will drop
23 April 10:41
FORECAST
Throughout April, potatoes from Ukrainian producers have appeared in markets and supermarkets. The price is still quite steep. They are selling for between 120 and 200 hryvnias per kilogram, according to
The produce is mainly sourced from greenhouses in Zakarpattia and the southern regions of Ukraine.
In supermarkets, prices are somewhat more affordable thanks to imports (mainly from Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Turkey).
According to the Ministry of Finance, the average price at the end of April was 50.96 hryvnias per kg. It is sold for roughly the same price at the Shuvar wholesale market in Lviv.
In contrast, in the capital, retail prices at markets reach up to 150 hryvnias, and in supermarkets, they are even higher. The Varus chain is currently selling new potatoes for 169 hryvnias per kg, while at Silpo, prices range from 54 to 310 hryvnias, depending on the variety and country of origin. Meanwhile, potatoes from Egypt at ATB cost 37.89 hryvnias per kg.
The high cost of Ukrainian potatoes at the start of the season is due to objective factors. This is caused by the high production costs of the early harvest, which include greenhouse cultivation, significant energy expenses, and limited production volumes, meaning it cannot yet compete with imports on price.
While prices for new potatoes remain quite high, prices for last year’s harvest remain consistently low. The average price is 15–22 UAH/kg.
In an exclusive comment
“Purchase prices for potatoes from producers have fallen; 15–22 UAH is the supermarket price. Prices have fallen due to overproduction in 2025 and the current high supply on the market,” the expert said.
According to her, it is becoming less profitable for farmers to store potatoes in storage facilities; they are keeping the contracted stock, but demand is not increasing.
According to the Ministry of Finance, as of early April, regional potato prices were as follows:
| Region | Average potato price, UAH/kg | Approx. new potatoes, UAH/kg |
| Kyiv | 21.02 | 45 |
| Lviv region | 12.40 | 35 |
| Odesa | 19.80 | 40 |
| Kharkiv | 15.15 | 38 |
| Ukraine average | 15.51 | 37.28 |
Experts predict that in just 1–2 weeks, when the supply from Ukrainian potato producers increases, prices will drop significantly.
Note that the new potato season in Ukraine begins in February–March. Imports fill the gap until April, but Ukrainian production takes the lead starting in May.
The peak is in June-July, when fields in the Kyiv, Vinnytsia, and Kherson regions yield their harvest. In 2026, a snowy winter accelerated the process: the first field harvest was already in supermarkets by the end of April.
As a reminder, as of the end of April 2025, prices for Ukrainian new potatoes ranged from 95 to 140 UAH/kg, while imported potatoes, mainly from Egypt or Israel, were priced between 36 and 42 UAH/kg.
