Kazakhstan's Potato Puzzle: High Prices Despite Bumper Crop

Potato Prices Soar in Kazakhstan Despite Ample Harvest Kazakhstan is grappling with unexpectedly high potato prices, despite a 2024 harvest that was expected to meet domestic demand. The government's recent decision to restrict potato exports until the end of July aims to stabilize the market, but the issue remains complex. The video highlights the disparity between the harvest and market prices, showing potatoes selling for 400 tenge per kilogram in the capital. One farmer interviewed notes the challenges of fluctuating prices and the impact on their livelihood. "It's frustrating," they said, "to see our hard work not reflected in the final price." Meanwhile, the government's import of 50-60 thousand tons of potatoes from Russia, China, and Pakistan underscores the depth of the problem. While the government claims these are market fluctuations, the high prices continue to burden consumers.