Russian scientists from the Lorch Federal Research Center for Potatoes in the Moscow region have developed a new domestic potato variety named “Alpha.” According to Gennady Krasnikov, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the variety is medium-early with table purposes and shows resistance to a range of diseases and pests. However, industry experts point out that developing a new variety is only the first step. The key challenges are attracting interest from Russian agricultural producers and establishing industrial-scale seed production, a process that can take several years. Currently, the top 10 most popular potato varieties among Russian farmers are still of foreign selection, though their seeds are grown within Russia. Domestic varieties account for only about 10% of the market, and as of January 1, 2025, Russia’s self-sufficiency in domestically bred potato seeds stood at just 9%.
Under the country’s food security doctrine, the industry is required to increase the share of domestically bred seeds to 30% by 2030, but whether this target is achievable remains an open question. Producers have been hesitant to switch, as existing Russian varieties have lagged behind foreign ones in yield and taste. Mukhazhir Etuev, CEO of the Prinevskoye breeding farm, admitted that his company has tried Russian varieties but found them inferior by all measures. Still, he expressed willingness to work with domestic varieties if they prove themselves. Meanwhile, Russia’s total potato harvest reached 19.5 million tons last year, up from 18.4 million tons in 2024. Retail prices have dropped significantly — in May of this year, potatoes became 43% cheaper year-on-year. The Leningrad region, despite being a zone of risky agriculture, excels in seed potato production, selling about 8,000 tons annually to 33 Russian regions, thanks to its favorable climate (low pest and disease pressure from Baltic winds and deep winter soil freezing) and strong scientific base.
