A Deficit of Domestic Horseradish Has Emerged in Ukraine: Retail Chains Shift to Imports

Experts report that due to the depletion of Ukrainian horseradish stocks in stores, producers are forced to purchase imported products.

This is reported by AgroReview

The Situation with Horseradish in Different Regions of Ukraine

In Kharkiv, the disappearance of horseradish sauces from the shelves of both local and nationwide retail chains was noticed first. A similar problem is observed in other cities of Ukraine, including Kyiv, where the situation is no better. Buyers note that the availability of horseradish varies even within the same chain of stores: if it is still available, it consists of remnants of old batches, and no new supplies have arrived yet.

Causes of the Deficit and Prospects for Resolution

The shortage of horseradish has been influenced by seasonal factors and economic difficulties that have intensified during the war, particularly the shortage of labor. In such conditions, Ukrainian producers are forced to rely on imports, although they hope to receive a new, albeit delayed, harvest in the near future.

It is worth noting that horseradish is not included in the list of important agricultural crops at the state level, so there are no official statistical data on yields. However, the market is already feeling a real “horseradish crisis,” which is expected to be overcome through imports and the anticipated arrival of a new Ukrainian harvest.

“Horseradish for holidays is, without exaggeration, sacred for Ukrainians. In a market economy, a true shortage in the Soviet sense cannot exist at all — after all, there is free import.”

Thus, experts and representatives of retail chains predict that the supply situation for horseradish will stabilize in the near future, and Ukrainians will be able to purchase their favorite product in sufficient quantities once again.