Kazakhstan aims to avoid repeat of last year's potato price surge - MinisterKazakhstan’s Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said Tuesday that a repeat of last year's sharp increase in potato prices is not expected if timely measures are taken."Last year's price surge was driven by record-high demand from neighboring countries, which led to the export of 600,000 tonnes of the total 2.6 million-tonne harvest," Saparov said.The potato planting area has been increased this year, with a forecasted harvest of 2.7 million tonnes. So far, 1.8 million tonnes have been harvested.The minister stated the current farm-gate price for farmers is 80-120 tenge per kilogram and that work is underway to procure potatoes for state price-stabilization funds. He also emphasized that retail chains must secure supply contracts now rather than scramble for supplies in winter. Saparov expressed confidence that with this coordinated effort, last year's issue would not be repeated. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX