The export of early potatoes is not a significant factor in Uzbekistan's fresh fruit and vegetable market. However, between May and July of this year, the volume of Uzbek potatoes exported to Kazakhstan reached a record high, at least for the last twenty years, EastFruit reports.
The first large batches of new crop potatoes arrived at wholesale markets in Uzbekistan in early April, three weeks later than last year due to extreme cold conditions in January. This caused potato planting in the southern regions to begin three weeks later than usual, which resulted in the potato harvest being delayed by the same period.
Despite this delay, wholesale prices for potatoes steadily declined. Unlike last year, when prices stopped falling at the end of April, they continued to drop until the end of June this year. This caused an increase in potato exports, as prices were relatively low.
Uzbekistan's potato export season began in the middle of May, later than usual. However, the country still managed to export a record volume of new-crop potatoes to neighboring Kazakhstan between May and July.
According to trade statistics, Uzbekistan exported almost 4,000 tons of potatoes from May 21 to July 20, 2023. Of that volume, over 3,900 tons went to Kazakhstan, with Tajikistan receiving around 40 tons.
In previous years, Uzbekistan exported 2,400 tons of potatoes to Kazakhstan in 2022 and 2,200 tons in 2021. The preceding record for potato exports to Kazakhstan was set in 2019, with 3,000 tons. However, this year's May-July export volume was 30% higher than that record.
Despite the delayed start, Uzbekistan achieved a record high in potato exports to Kazakhstan this year, thanks to relatively low prices and a favorable market.
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