Alexey Krasilnikov, Executive Director of the Russian Potato Union, has stated that while there is no outright deficit of potatoes in the country, there is a notable shortage of high-quality table potatoes. In a recent interview, he attributed this gap to weather anomalies during the 2025 growing season, including heavy rains that led to diseases such as late blight, degrading the commercial characteristics of a portion of the harvest. Despite this, Krasilnikov noted that current price growth remains moderate, aligned with inflation and increased storage costs, and does not mirror the sharp spring spikes seen in previous years, when prices briefly approached 90 rubles per kilogram.
The discussion around potato prices has been reignited by the Potato Union’s proposal to establish minimum purchase price ranges for retailers. Krasilnikov clarified that the initiative has evolved from a fixed floor to a flexible range based on seasonality and quality, and it has preliminary support from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. However, the Federal Antimonopoly Service remains cautious. The proposed mechanism aims to provide farmers with predictable profitability to encourage investment, while offering retailers guaranteed volumes. If implemented, the union estimates that retail prices could stabilize in the range of 50–60 rubles per kilogram during the season, though future costs will ultimately depend on the new harvest, weather conditions, and regulatory decisions.
