Potato prices in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have seen a significant increase compared to last year, with Uzbekistan experiencing a price hike that is 1.5 times higher than last year and 42% at the end of last year, according to the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan. The high demand from the population is the main reason for the price increase, although the seed potato shortage is also a contributing factor. Experts predict that the high potato prices are likely to persist due to the high demand and the lack of resolution to the seed potato shortage issue.