In Georgia, wholesale potato prices rose by 50% last week compared to the week before. It went from being worth USD0.28 to being worth USD0.42.

Growers credit several variables for this sudden growth, EastFruit price monitoring data shows.

Although the amount reduces as the season in the region comes to a close, the Kvemo Kartli region is now the leading provider of local production. In addition, Azerbaijan’s demand for Georgian potatoes has grown. The Samtskhe-Javakheti region typically begins supplying the local market in the middle of September, however this year there was a poor crop in this area.

Growers in the Samtskhe-Javakheti area claim that the two-month drought is still present there. The harvest’s quantity and quality have suffered as a result. Although the harvesting season has only just begun and few growers are now harvesting, it is obvious that the crop will be significantly lower than anticipated. In the best situation, producers will harvest 5 tons if the output per hectare is typically 10–12 tons without irrigation.

The harvesting procedure is difficult due to the drought-hardened soil damaging potato tubers when pulled out by tractors, in addition to the decreased yield.