The Ministry of Agriculture has clarified the sudden rise in potato prices.

According to monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture, the average price of potatoes in Tashkent at the Food City market is 8,500 sums per kilogram, while at fairs the product is sold for 5,000-6,000 sums.

The primary reason for the increase in potato prices is the crop shortage. In 2024, only 1 million tons of potatoes were harvested from the re-planted areas, which covers just 44% of the required volume of 1.7 million tons. Additionally, the costs for growing resources have significantly increased: seeds, fertilizers, fuel, and electricity. For instance, the expenses for planting potatoes per hectare have risen to 55-60 million sums, which is 2-2.5 times higher than for other crops.

The rise in potato prices is also observed in other countries. In Kazakhstan, the harvest decreased by 80%, while in Russia, the area planted was reduced by 33,900 hectares, leading to a drop in harvest by 1.4 million tons.

To ensure the population has access to affordable potatoes, the government of Uzbekistan has taken a series of measures. A total of 245,600 tons of potatoes have been stockpiled, 9,900 tons have been brought to market, and 94,200 tons of potatoes have been imported from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Iran. In supermarkets, potatoes from Pakistan are sold for 4,990 sums per kilogram, while local potatoes cost 8,490 sums.

Prices for potatoes are expected to stabilize by February-March, and with the arrival of the new harvest in April-May, a decrease is anticipated. To achieve this, it is planned to plant potatoes on 122,000 hectares in 2025.

Previously, information circulated on social media about a sharp increase in potato prices to 12,000 sums. The Ministry of Agriculture denied that prices had risen to this amount.

It is worth noting that by 2027, Uzbekistan plans to achieve full self-sufficiency in potatoes. To this end, 400 billion sums will be allocated from the Agricultural Fund for the development of potato farming this year.

Moreover, as noted by the Ministry of Agriculture, there is a shortage not only in Uzbekistan. In neighboring Kazakhstan, restrictions have been imposed on potato purchases: residents are allowed to buy only 5 kg at a time.

Earlier, Kun.uz reported that thousands of tons of potatoes rotted at the border without reaching Uzbekistan.