Seed Potato Shortage in Ukraine: High Demand and Unfavorable Weather Create Challenges

This year in Ukraine the demand for seed potatoes is higher than in previous years, there is a significant shortage of quality seeds, EastFruit reports . Thus, some varieties are difficult to find even in Europe, in particular the Riviera variety, which is one of the most popular among the population. The head of the Chernigovelikartofel Scientific and Production Association, Igor Shkurko, told AgroPortal about this.

Igor Shkurko:

"The seed material of the Riviera variety in our farm is also completely sold out. In Europe, everything is contracted. This year, we have gradually distributed the seed potatoes among old clients, allocating a certain quota to each. There is no surplus."

The reason for the lack of seeds is the unfavorable weather conditions this summer.

Igor Shkurko:

"In Chernihiv region, the heat lasted from August 1 to September 20, the potatoes were like in an oven. The air temperature reached 35°C, on the soil surface - 65°C, measurements were taken using a remote thermometer. So the potatoes were simply baked. Some varieties, especially foreign ones, did not survive."

In addition, scab and dry rot are common this year. Therefore, when storing such potatoes, they require care and a treatment period of at least a month.

Igor Shkurko:

"In order for potatoes to lie, they must not only form a skin, but also achieve the required physical and chemical composition. Potatoes cannot be stored in storage immediately after digging. Therefore, we cannot always send customers the ordered seed material immediately after digging, it must lie down."