One of the largest agricultural enterprises in Astrakhan Oblast, MAPS, has begun construction of three new potato storage facilities this year to expand its warehousing capacity. According to CEO Alexey Karnaukhov, the expansion will not only reduce harvest-related risks but also enable the company to sell produce during more profitable price periods—specifically, late winter and early spring, when market supplies dwindle and prices rise, compared to the cheaper autumn season. While imports from countries like Azerbaijan and Egypt have recently pressured local prices, modern storage gives MAPS a competitive edge by allowing longer sales cycles and better timing. The company already supplies potatoes for processing into chips for well-known brands and french fries for major fast-food chains, reaching far beyond the region.
Governor Igor Babushkin, who recently visited MAPS, praised the initiative as a strategic move for the region’s agricultural sector. He emphasized that developing modern storage infrastructure strengthens food security, stabilizes local supply chains, and makes farming businesses more resilient. By reducing dependence on imports and enabling year-round availability of locally grown potatoes, the project supports both economic sustainability and consumer access to domestic produce. The expansion reflects a broader trend of investing in post-harvest infrastructure to maximize value and reduce waste in Russia’s agro-industrial complex.
