The Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service in Kyrgyzstan conducted a monitoring of potato sales at the largest markets in the country. This inspection was organized at the initiative of Erlis Akunbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Agriculture. The main task of the raids was to identify unscrupulous intermediaries who might pass off Chinese products as local ones. Specialists confirmed the presence of potatoes from China on the shelves; however, no cases of its sale under the label of domestic products were recorded. The agency emphasized that the import of potatoes is carried out within the framework of Kyrgyzstan's obligations to the World Trade Organization, which also creates opportunities for the export of local products to China.
Currently, the retail price for imported potatoes is 38–40 soms per kilogram, while the cost of local products ranges from 42 to 44 soms. The wholesale price for domestic potatoes is in the range of 35–40 soms. Service specialists noted that some farmers are holding back supplies in anticipation of price increases. At the same time, veterinary control warns of potential risks, as early potatoes from the Aravan region will start arriving in the market in the coming days, which may lead to a decrease in prices. Long-term storage under such conditions may cause spoilage of the goods and significant financial losses for producers.
Representatives of the service urged farmers to timely sell their products and adequately assess the current market situation. It was emphasized that the responsibility for losses due to spoilage of unsold potatoes lies entirely with the agricultural producers themselves. Government agencies will continue to monitor price stability and the transparency of trading processes in the country's markets during the active preparation for spring fieldwork.
