Potato prices in Poland are still skyrocketing. This is the direct result of a moderate harvest for the second year in a row. The situation has a negative impact on consumption in the country.
Research institute IERiGÅ» reports in its October report that the potato price in Poland is at one record level was standing. That is still the case. In the last week of October, the average potato price was €34. This concerns a wholesale price for table potatoes that stood at €37 per 100 kilos at the beginning of September. This means that the price has fallen slightly, but not as much as expected.
Well above last year
Previously, IERiGÅ» predicted that the potato price would fall 30 to 40% in October and November. That has not happened yet. The average potato price in Poland is still €15 per 100 kilos higher than in the same period last year and when it was product range even tight. The market price in the various regions fluctuates between €27 and €47 per 100 kilos.
The high prices are partly responsible for decreasing potato consumption in Poland. This was estimated at 2018 kilos per inhabitant in the 2019/92 season. This number is expected to drop further in the current season to approximately 88 kilos per inhabitant. This is due to further price increases and poor quality of the potatoes.
Table potato less popular
Annual potato consumption in Poland has been declining for a number of years. About 10 years ago, consumption was still 118 kilos per inhabitant. The consumption of potato products is increasing, but the consumption of unprocessed potatoes is decreasing. Table potatoes are mainly consumed by farmers and retirees and are the least popular among the self-employed. The annual consumption of table potatoes fell from 10 to 63,2 kilos per person in the past 34,6 years.