Due to changeable weather conditions, the situation in potato fields in different regions of Latvia differs, however, in general, there was enough moisture, which gives hope for a good harvest. Already, prices for both local and imported potatoes are falling, writes lsm.lv. Guntis Silenieks, owner of the Gudriķi farm in Otanki, Nicas parish, planted some of the potatoes in sandier soil this spring. The early varieties have already bloomed, and the late ones are just beginning. The farmer's mood this year is uncharacteristically positive – the fields look promising. “Honestly, in the spring I regretted that I planted potatoes in the sand, but now nature is on my side! This year nature spoiled us with precipitation, the potatoes have enough moisture, since they need it most during flowering. Moreover, in the coming days they promise It’s raining, so everything should be fine,” the farmer rejoices. Ten varieties of potatoes are planted in the fields of the Gudriķi farm, some of which are elite seeds brought from abroad, and the rest are class A varieties. That is, the best seed material. However, even he is not immune from pests and diseases, which manifest themselves with the greatest intensity in warm and humid weather. “The potato leaf beetle has been known to Latvian peasants for more than 60 years, and this summer is no exception,” says Māra Berzina, inspector of the State Plant Protection Service. After a successful winter, the voracious beetles feed with might and main in the potato fields. The problem is that some of the means that can be used to fight pests have been banned. “There is nothing to poison, because everything that was good is prohibited! The possibilities for protecting potatoes are becoming less and less,” complains Silenieks. “The same applies to diseases – there was a good remedy, but now it is prohibited. It is difficult to maintain quality when there are no fungicides and insecticides. The buyer is still picky. He shouts why you poison and use chemicals, but in a store where there are wormy potatoes on one shelf and smooth and even ones next to them, he will choose the one that is beautiful.” While hot weather will encourage the spread of pests, crop protection experts say the situation this year will be no different. "Now is the time of active growth. The tubers are well formed and, as far as I can tell, they are growing well. Everything looks very positive. So – there is warmth, there is moisture, and if the potatoes have something to eat, then everything is going well!" – says Aiga Kraukle, head of the Union of Potato Producers and Processors. Peasants are happy that energy prices have stabilized, but they do not want to make forecasts about potato prices until they are harvested. For example, at the market in Liepaja, the most expensive new potatoes cost one euro per kilogram, and with the new harvest, prices will decrease. However, taking into account the fact that the harvest has already been harvested in importing countries and in our country, and more is expected in the fall, potato prices may fall below last year’s.
