Potato exports halve in first quarter

In the first quarter of 2015 Polish potato exports were only 6,000 metric tons, down from 12,100 tons in the analogous period of 2014, according to a report by the Agriculture and Livestock Economics Institute (IERiGŻ).

In the same period imports were 27,400 tons, against 51,100 tons in the first quarter of 2014.

“The fall in exports stemmed from the potato surplus in practically all of Europe, with the exception of Russia, which limited the possibilities for finding markets for Polish potatoes,” the report read.

“The fall in imports was determined by the very low prices of potatoes on the Polish market, which meant that bringing in foreign potatoes was very unprofitable,” the report noted. (jh)