According to data from Chinese customs analyzed by RIA Novosti, Russia’s total imports of Chinese potatoes during January–May 2026 decreased 2.4 times year-on-year, falling to $15.01 million. Despite this overall decline, May saw a notable monthly surge: shipments from China to Russia rose 1.5 times compared to April, reaching $4.4 million—the highest monthly value since July 2025. However, this figure still remained 3.3 times lower than in May of the previous year, underscoring the continued downward trend in annual comparison.
By the end of May, Russia maintained its position as the second-largest buyer of Chinese potatoes globally. The top five importers also included Kyrgyzstan ($11.2 million), Malaysia (nearly $3.2 million), Vietnam ($2.5 million), and Thailand ($848 thousand). Overall, China’s total potato exports in May 2026 amounted to $24.8 million, which represented a 5% month-on-month decrease and a threefold drop compared to May 2025, reflecting broader shifts in global demand and trade dynamics for this commodity.
