Ukraine imported 19,100 tonnes of potatoes from January through May 2026. The shipments were worth 12.1 million US dollars, showing that foreign supply remains a material part of the domestic market between harvest seasons.
Three countries lead potato supplies
Egypt accounted for 25.8 percent of all imported potatoes and became the largest supplier. Azerbaijan ranked second with 19 percent, while Poland held third place with 16.6 percent. Together, the three countries provided more than three fifths of the volume entering Ukraine.
Imports support the market between harvests
Purchases abroad help maintain a stable supply when stocks from the previous Ukrainian harvest are running low and the new crop is not yet available in sufficient quantities. This seasonal role makes imports particularly important for retailers and consumers during the transition period.
The comparison with 2025
During the whole of 2025, Ukraine imported 123,600 tonnes of potatoes with a total value of 66.3 million US dollars. The January–May result for 2026 confirms that the market continues to rely on external suppliers, although the final annual volume will depend on the current domestic harvest.
Import prices directly influence retail prices, while the availability of foreign potatoes can restrain abrupt fluctuations in stores. At the same time, Ukrainian growers are adapting to unstable weather and economic pressure in an effort to reduce the need for purchases abroad.
Further import demand will be determined by crop yields, the pace at which local potatoes reach the market and broader economic conditions. Egypt, Azerbaijan and Poland currently dominate the supply structure, but their shares can change quickly as seasonal availability and prices shift.
