Russia: Ryazan Region Finishes Its Potato Harvest at About 125,000 Tonnes, With Fair Prices at RUB 50–70 per kg
Ryazan growers have lifted about 125,000 tonnes of potatoes, less than in 2025, with small growers out-producing the farm enterprises. Shoppers pay RUB 50–70 per kg at city fairs and up to RUB 80 in shops.
Ryazan Oblast has finished lifting its potatoes, with a crop of about 125,000 tonnes, GTRK Oka reported on 5 November. The regional agriculture ministry says that is below last year. Regional news site YA62.RU, citing data as of 6 November, put the completed potato harvest at 123,000 tonnes. Shoppers at the fairs in Ryazan now pay RUB 50–70 per kilogram, and shops charge up to RUB 80.
A smaller crop, carried by small growers
The broadcaster’s report gives no percentage for the decline, but it does show who grew the potatoes: farmers and gardeners produced more than all the region’s agricultural enterprises combined.
That fits the national picture. As of 1 October, Russia had dug 14.65 million tonnes across all categories, 8.7% less than a year earlier, with about 87% of plantings harvested, Kommersant reported citing Rosstat. Households accounted for 9.5 million tonnes, down 6%. Agricultural organisations had 3.1 million tonnes, down 13.8%, and farm enterprises 2.1 million tonnes, down 5.9%.
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Growers quoted by GTRK Oka describe an uneven season. One resident, Lyubov Kharkova, recalled a June drought and said she understood why prices were higher. Lidia Sorokina of the village of Zaokskoye said tuber size varied, with some growers getting many large potatoes and others mostly small ones. She credits a good crop to irrigation, weeding and pest control, and sells her surplus at fairs.
What the fairs show about prices
Six fairs now operate in Ryazan under the national project “Efficient and Competitive Economy”, the newest opened two weeks ago on Yesenin Street. Local producers sold more than 2 tonnes of potatoes of various varieties there last weekend. Buyers told the broadcaster that prices are noticeably above last year’s.
At RUB 50–70 per kg, the fair range starts just below the national average retail price of RUB 51 per kg recorded for September, itself up 28.8% year on year, according to Kommersant. The two figures come from different dates and are not a like-for-like comparison. Shops in Ryazan sell at up to RUB 80, and part of their supply comes from neighbouring regions and other countries, alongside local potatoes.
Volume is the limit. By our calculation, 2 tonnes at fair prices is worth about RUB 100,000–140,000 for the whole group of sellers over a weekend, against a regional crop of about 125,000 tonnes. For scale on the wholesale side, AB-Centre put the wholesale price at RUB 22.3 per kg excluding VAT on 28 August, FreshPlaza reported. That figure is more than two months old and national, so it only indicates the size of the gap.
Growing his own seed
The report also features Nikolai Misyukevich, a farmer from Starozhilovo who produces his own planting material. He buys botanical seed, grows super-elite seed potatoes from it and then multiplies them into first, second and third generations. By his account, seed potatoes can be multiplied for five years.
What this means for farms
- Direct sales: fairs pay well per kilogram but move small volumes. Count transport, staff time and grading before comparing a fair price with an offer from a buyer, and get a current offer rather than relying on an older wholesale quote.
- Stored potatoes: AB-Centre notes that imports usually grow from the second half of February. Decide now which lots can wait until then and which should be sold first, based on their condition.
- Farm-saved seed: the number of generations is only part of the question. Have seed lots checked for disease before planting, and agree the plan with your agronomist.
Sources: GTRK Oka, 5 November 2026; YA62.RU, 6 November 2026; Kommersant, citing Rosstat; FreshPlaza, citing AB-Centre, 7 September 2026.
