Prices for potatoes at markets range from 4,000 to 11,000 sums. How are these prices changing?

On January 19, due to a sharp increase in potato prices in certain regions of Kazakhstan, the government imposed a six-month ban on the export of this product to third countries. Against this backdrop, potato prices in Uzbekistan also began to rise. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the country's potato reserves are sufficient and are gradually being released to the domestic market, but did not specify the reasons for the price increase.

A journalist from Kun.uz visited the "Farhad" dehkan market to investigate the pricing situation. Initially, the market administration attempted to obstruct the journalist's work, claiming that filming required permission. Nevertheless, sellers and buyers expressed their opinions. According to them, potatoes are sold at prices ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 sums.

"Potatoes cost 10,000 sums, honestly, due to expensive deliveries. We, the simple sellers, can't do anything about it. A week ago, the price was 7,000–8,000, and in 2–3 days it rose by 2,000," said one of the sellers.

Buyers also noted that a few weeks ago, potatoes were priced at 6,000–7,000 sums and expressed a desire for prices not to be so high.

The journalist visited the Korzinka and Havas supermarkets, as well as small grocery stores in the Chilanzar district. There, potatoes are sold for 9,000–10,000 sums per kilogram. In some stores, prices are nearly identical to market prices, with differences mainly in product quality.

The next stop was the "Eski Juva" market in the Shaykhantahur district. One of the market's administration staff reported that at organized fairs, the price of potatoes is 4,000 sums per kilogram. According to the head of the trading department, Saidalikhan Tursunov, the "Eski Juva" market currently has potato reserves of 600 tons.

Winter and Potatoes: Where the Price Differences Come From and What Sellers Say

Saidalikhan Tursunov from the "Eski Juva" market's trading department stated that by February, potato reserves were established in Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Keles. This was done considering the seasonal decrease in supplies.

"Potatoes are replenished as needed at a price of 4,000 sums per kilogram. About 5–6 tons are sold at the fair daily, and even more on weekends," Tursunov clarified.

He also explained why the same product is sold at different prices.

"This is an open market, not a fair. Some sellers bring potatoes through Food City or freight cars, which affects the cost. We ensure sales at reduced prices through the fair for the public," he explained.

Some buyers informed Kun.uz that the day before, potatoes at the fair were priced at 7,000 sums, but the price suddenly dropped to 4,000 sums during the filming.

In other areas of the "Eski Juva" market, imported potatoes from foreign countries are sold for prices ranging from 9,000 to 11,000 sums.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the annual potato consumption need of the population of Uzbekistan is 4 million tons. In 2024, the country produced 3.7 million tons of potatoes, of which 2.7 million tons were from primary fields and 1 million tons from subsequent plantings.