False and unfounded information about the price of potatoes is still circulating, and the availability, cost and quality of the product are being hotly debated. However, according to official data, the stock of products is sufficient. The current hype is caused solely by the difference between the market price of potatoes and the price under the stabilization program.

"Irtysh" SEC" JSC regularly supplies socially significant vegetable products, including potatoes, to trade pavilions within the framework of the stabilization program. Today, the price of socially significant vegetables is stable: potatoes, carrots and cabbage are traded at 125 tenge per kilogram, and onions - at 130 tenge.
Under the contract concluded between the "Altai" Wholesale and Distribution Center and "Irtysh" SEC" JSC, a volume of 5,500 tons of potatoes was contracted from November 1, 2024 to May 1, 2025. Today, there is about half of this volume in the stock, which is enough until the end of the contract. And in the off-season period (June-July), a new contract is concluded annually for early-ripening vegetables.
Within the framework of the stabilization program, not only potatoes were purchased, but also carrots, onions and cabbage, which are included in the category of socially significant products. The volume of products for which contracts were concluded: carrots - 1,300 tons, onions - 900 tons, cabbage - 1,350 tons.
In the East of the country, the price stabilization program is operating in normal mode. Products are delivered and distributed to 17 trade pavilions of "Irtysh" SEC" JSC on a daily basis based on requests from sellers. However, it should be noted that these trade stalls are not intended for wholesale trade. Potatoes are sold only at retail, and in order to prevent speculation, sales in bags are not carried out. In addition, about 30 stores in the regional center, within the framework of a memorandum concluded with "Irtysh" SEC" JSC, are selling four types of socially significant products at the same prices as the SEC pavilions. It is worth noting that the number of stores under these memorandums may decrease or increase at any time.
According to experts, the main reason for the hype in East Kazakhstan is not a shortage of potatoes, but the price difference. If potatoes are sold at 125 tenge/kg in the pavilions of the social corporation, the price in the open market ranges from 250-350 tenge/kg. Because of this, the demand for cheap potatoes is increasing. However, as experience shows, this is a temporary phenomenon due to seasonal price fluctuations. Previously, a similar situation occurred for products such as sugar, buckwheat, and eggs.
It should be noted that when concluding the contract, specialists, relying on the experience of previous years, left the price and volume of production unchanged. This decision was approved by the "East Kazakhstan Regional Commission for Stabilization of Prices for Socially Important Food Products". However, currently the difference between the price of social potatoes and market potatoes is causing a hype. Since the most affordable price in the region is 125 tenge/kg, the delivered products are selling out faster than usual. Experts say that the next delivery of potatoes, which were sold out in the morning, should be considered tomorrow.
In general, since the purchase price and cost of potatoes have increased in all regions, the interest of large wholesalers in products at social prices has also increased. However, the main task of JSC "Irtysh" SEC" is not to create competition for businesses in the region, but, on the contrary, to stabilize prices during seasonal fluctuations and ensure the availability of socially significant products to the population, without turning the market into a monopoly.
The main task at the present stage is also this - to ensure the availability of potatoes to the population. The delivery process is carried out on the basis of an agreement between the SEC and the "Altai" KTO. In turn, the "Altai" center has concluded a contract with "Agrofirma Prirechnoye" LLP for 2024-2025. Thus, currently potatoes are being delivered to Ust-Kamenogorsk from the Abai region. Given the distance and weather conditions, in order to prevent the products from freezing in winter, deliveries are not carried out by ordinary large and capacious trucks. 1-2 small trucks arrive in the regional center per day. They are equipped with a heat regulator and a special ventilation system, and their capacity is 5-10 tons.
Since the area of ​​​​the trading pavilions is 18 m², it is impossible to "fill" them with potatoes alone. There are other products sold by the entrepreneur in the pavilions. The main task within the framework of the stabilization program is to maintain stable prices and ensure the uninterrupted availability of potatoes until the end of the contract (May 2025).
Specialists of JSC "Irtysh" SEC" stated that their obligations under the current contract will be fully fulfilled, and since there is sufficient stock in the warehouse, product deliveries will be carried out daily.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/akimvko/press/news/details/938524