Russia’s largest vertically integrated agri-holding, Miratorg, has taken a major strategic leap by publicly launching its proprietary potato seed, including the new processing variety “Klad.” The debut at the AGRAVIA exhibition signals the company’s transition from a major producer to a significant player in the domestic seed market, directly addressing the industry’s push for technological sovereignty.
At the recent AGRAVIA international exhibition for agri-professionals, Miratorg dedicated significant space to its potato division for the first time, showcasing five varieties. The centerpiece was “Klad” (translated as “Treasure”), a red-skinned, high-starch variety bred specifically for french fry production and processing. This move is not merely promotional; the company began accepting pre-orders for seed, with commercial supplies planned within 3-4 years. This launch is a direct output of Miratorg’s previously announced investments in a micropropagation laboratory in Kaliningrad and modern storage complexes, representing the culmination of a long-term vertical integration strategy aimed at securing its supply chain from genetics to the final processed product.
This development occurs within a critical context for Russian agriculture. Following the departure of major international seed companies, the government has prioritized import substitution in seed breeding. The Ministry of Agriculture’s “Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Agriculture” specifically subsidizes domestic selection, aiming to increase the share of domestic seeds for key crops like potatoes. Recent data suggests that while Russia has achieved near self-sufficiency in potato seed volume, the qualitative gap in high-performance, specialized processing varieties remains a challenge. Miratorg’s “Klad,” developed for its own 20-billion-ruble “Grand Fries” processing plant (a joint venture with “Vkusno i Tochka”), directly targets this niche. By controlling the genetics, Miratorg ensures a reliable supply of optimal raw material, reduces foreign dependency, and creates a new B2B revenue stream by selling elite seed to other producers.
Miratorg’s unveiling of “Klad” at AGRAVIA is a landmark event with implications beyond a single product launch. It signifies a mature phase in the company’s vertical integration, where backward integration reaches its most foundational level: the seed. For the broader Russian agricultural sector, it represents tangible progress in the import substitution agenda for high-value genetics. For farmers and processors, it promises access to a domestically bred, purpose-specific variety that could enhance the efficiency and quality of the processing potato segment. Miratorg is not just growing potatoes; it is now cultivating a new layer of agri-technological independence, positioning itself as both a consumer and a creator of critical agricultural inputs.
