In 2023, the Chuvash Republic secured its place among the top twenty regions in Russia for industrial potato production, with the region accounting for 1.7% of the country’s total harvest. Notably, the Chuvash Republic is a donor region for potatoes, producing 1.8 times more than its consumption needs.
Potato Cultivation Areas
Over the last decade, the area dedicated to potato cultivation in the industrial sector (agricultural enterprises and peasant farms, KFH) has almost halved. In 2014, the cultivated area was 8,800 hectares, but by 2023, it had decreased to 5,100 hectares, with a further reduction to 4,400 hectares expected in 2024.
Potato Cultivation Areas in the Industrial Sector (Agricultural Enterprises and KFH)
| Year | Cultivation Area, hectares |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 8,800 |
| 2015 | 9,800 |
| 2016 | 9,200 |
| 2017 | 6,300 |
| 2018 | 8,000 |
| 2019 | 6,400 |
| 2020 | 5,000 |
| 2021 | 5,000 |
| 2022 | 5,700 |
| 2023 | 5,100 |
| 2024 | 4,400 |
Gross Potato Harvest Volume
Despite the significant reduction in cultivation areas, the decrease in production volume has been less dramatic, largely due to improvements in yield. In 2014, the gross potato harvest was 143,400 metric tons, while in 2023, it was slightly lower at 127,300 metric tons.
Gross Potato Harvest Volume in the Industrial Sector (Agricultural Enterprises and KFH)
| Year | Gross Harvest Volume, metric tons |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 143,400 |
| 2015 | 210,200 |
| 2016 | 167,900 |
| 2017 | 142,000 |
| 2018 | 143,300 |
| 2019 | 175,300 |
| 2020 | 117,600 |
| 2021 | 110,300 |
| 2022 | 120,600 |
| 2023 | 127,300 |
| 2024 | —– |
Potato Yield
Potato yield in the industrial sector of the Chuvash Republic has shown a consistent upward trend. In 2023, the yield reached 26.45 tons per hectare, up from 16.3 tons per hectare in 2014. This increase in yield has helped offset the decline in cultivated areas, maintaining relatively stable production volumes.
Potato Yield in the Industrial Sector (Agricultural Enterprises)
| Year | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 16.3 |
| 2015 | 21.9 |
| 2016 | 18.15 |
| 2017 | 22.54 |
| 2018 | 18.61 |
| 2019 | 19.07 |
| 2020 | 23.96 |
| 2021 | 25.00 |
| 2022 | 25.09 |
| 2023 | 26.45 |
| 2024 | —– |
Conclusion
The Chuvash Republic continues to be a crucial region for potato production in Russia, despite a significant reduction in cultivation areas over the past decade. The region’s ability to maintain stable production volumes, thanks to increased yields, allows it to remain a donor region, supplying more potatoes than it consumes. As the region continues to adapt to changing agricultural conditions, its role in the national potato market remains strong.
