Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry to prevent increase in vegetables, fruits prices

The Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry will do everything to prevent impact of fall weather on the cost of vegetables and fruits in Ukraine, minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk said during a visit to the permanent agricultural fair in the Pechersk district of Kyiv, ForUm correspondent reports.

"Autumn is abnormal this year. However, speaking of potatoes, we will collect it only 5% less than last year. That is, we will have 22 million tons. Domestic consumption makes up six million tons. Five million tons are needed for seeds. That is, the stock is big enough," he said.

In addition, according to the minister, this year it is planned to gather 9.5 million tons of vegetables, while the domestic consumption is 7 million tons. "The issue of food security or deficit does not arise. We continue working to increase exports," the minister said.

Prysiazhniuk also stressed that it is important to keep the crop, so that vegetable stores are filled at least for 90%. "If we miss this, prices may start to fluctuate," he stressed.

In addition, the minister noted that local authorities should also monitor the situation, to know the balance of consumption, food prices and routes of supply, not to use services of unnecessary intermediaries.