In Ambohijanaka, located in the Andramasina district, some producers are currently selling potatoes at 300 Ariary per kilo. This price drop occurs despite significant production costs, as farmers must cover expenses for seeds, fertilizers, treatment products, and labor.
For reference, the cost to produce 100 kg of potatoes is estimated between 85,000 and 105,000 Ariary. Seeds account for 45,000 to 60,000 Ariary, fertilizers cost 20,000 to 25,000 Ariary, and labor and treatments add another 10,000 Ariary. Consequently, a producer spends at least 85,000 Ariary to produce 100 kg of potatoes, which they then sell for 30,000 Ariary, resulting in a minimum loss of 55,000 Ariary.
At the source, the price per kilo ranges from 300 to 500 Ariary depending on the producer. In some local markets, it reaches 1,000 Ariary, while in Antananarivo, retailers sell it for up to 2,500 Ariary per kilo. The gap between the producer price and the consumer price remains significant.
Adding to these difficulties is the challenge of distributing the harvest. The road connecting production zones to other areas is degraded in several sections, complicating transport. “Transporters tell us that collectors come to pick up products on-site, but the poor road quality makes shipping difficult,” explains vegetable seller Benja Rasolofoson.
Faced with transport issues, producers often prefer selling directly on-site. With prices potentially dropping to 300 Ariary per kilo, they struggle to make a profit from months of hard work. The degradation of roads thus constitutes an additional obstacle to the marketing of agricultural products.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-07 06:23:45 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/andramasina-le-kilo-de-pomme-de-terre.html
