2023-09-29 16:28:03
For several months, potato prices have been soaring. Several reasons explain the phenomenon, including the explosion in the price of electricity and the disastrous harvest results in 2022.
Potato prices have been soaring for several months. According to INSEE, the average price of a kilo of potatoes is 2.19 euros compared to 1.76 euros a year ago. Several reasons explain this phenomenon. In 2023, we are consuming potatoes from 2022 production and these harvests were catastrophic due to droughts and extreme heat.
“We have seen that for several years, we have had great amplitudes. We have major periods of drought followed by major periods of humidity,” reported Luc Chatelain, potato producer, speaking to CNEWS.
The issue of water sharing
As demand has not decreased in the face of reduced stocks, this logically leads to an increase in prices. But other reasons are added to this factor, notably inflation. The rise in energy prices has had an impact on tariffs. Once they have been harvested, the potatoes are stored in huge cold rooms which consume a lot of electricity. Faced with all these reasons, Luc Chatelain sets out the challenges for the years to come.
“Sharing water is going to be a challenge for our profession. We will still produce as much with less water,” reported the potato producer. This year, the weather has been unpredictable with heavy spring precipitation. The harvest planned for August was postponed to October. Despite everything, no shortage is to be feared.
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