According to an analysis by RIA Novosti based on official state statistics, the Republic of Mordovia recorded the lowest potato prices in Russia in January 2026, with a kilogram costing just 32 rubles. This positions the region as the most affordable for the staple vegetable. Joining Mordovia in the top three are the Bryansk region and the Republic of Bashkortostan, where prices were 33 and 35 rubles per kilogram, respectively. The ranking of the ten most affordable regions is dominated by areas with strong agricultural sectors, including the Penza, Smolensk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kursk, Omsk, and Kostroma regions, as well as the republics of Chuvashia and Mari El. Prices in these regions ranged from 35.3 to 37.4 rubles per kilogram.
The analysis highlights a significant price disparity between Russia’s agricultural regions and its major metropolitan areas. In Moscow, the average price for a kilogram of potatoes was considerably higher at 54.6 rubles, while in St. Petersburg it stood at 50.5 rubles. This creates a price gap of over 22 rubles between the capital and Mordovia. Experts attribute this difference to higher logistical costs associated with supplying large cities, distinct regional demand patterns, and the predominance of different retail formats, which can influence final consumer prices.
