In 2023, the Tambov region ranked among the top twenty regions in Russia for industrial potato production. The region’s share in the total harvest volume was 1.7%, which is a significant achievement considering that the region usually ranks within the top thirty, occupying the 22nd to 23rd places.
The Tambov region is a donor region for potatoes, meaning the production volume exceeds local consumption. This allows the region to export surplus products to other regions of Russia, contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and the region’s economy as a whole.
Potato Cultivation Areas
Over the past 10 years, the area dedicated to potato cultivation in the industrial sector (agricultural enterprises and peasant farms, KFH) has significantly decreased. While in 2014 the cultivation area was 5,700 hectares, by 2023 this figure had dropped to 3,200 hectares, and in 2024 it is expected to further decrease to 2,600 hectares.
Potato Cultivation Areas in the Industrial Sector (Agricultural Enterprises and KFH)
| Year | Cultivation Area, hectares |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 5,700 |
| 2015 | 6,500 |
| 2016 | 5,500 |
| 2017 | 3,700 |
| 2018 | 4,200 |
| 2019 | 5,600 |
| 2020 | 3,400 |
| 2021 | 3,400 |
| 2022 | 3,500 |
| 2023 | 3,200 |
| 2024 | 2,600 |
Gross Potato Harvest Volume
Despite the reduction in cultivation areas, gross potato harvest volumes remain relatively stable due to increased yield. In 2023, the gross harvest volume was 131,500 metric tons, close to the 2014 figure of 133,200 metric tons.
Gross Potato Harvest Volume in the Industrial Sector (Agricultural Enterprises and KFH)
| Year | Gross Harvest Volume, metric tons |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 133,200 |
| 2015 | 196,500 |
| 2016 | 126,100 |
| 2017 | 106,200 |
| 2018 | 99,700 |
| 2019 | 133,000 |
| 2020 | 106,200 |
| 2021 | 94,900 |
| 2022 | 100,000 |
| 2023 | 131,500 |
| 2024 | —– |
Potato Yield
Potato yield in the industrial sector shows a positive trend. In 2023, it reached a record level of 47.8 tons per hectare, significantly higher than in 2014 (23.37 tons per hectare). However, it should be noted that yield data from peasant farms are considerably lower: in 2022 — 17.58 tons per hectare, and in 2023 — 20.82 tons per hectare.
Potato Yield in the Industrial Sector (Agricultural Enterprises)
| Year | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 23.37 |
| 2015 | 30.23 |
| 2016 | 23.79 |
| 2017 | 28.70 |
| 2018 | 24.32 |
| 2019 | 23.88 |
| 2020 | 33.36 |
| 2021 | 31.44 |
| 2022 | 38.73 |
| 2023 | 47.80 |
| 2024 | —– |
Conclusion
The Tambov region continues to be a significant region for potato production in Russia. Despite the reduction in cultivation areas, the region maintains stable gross harvest volumes thanks to increased yields. This allows the Tambov region not only to meet its own needs but also to export surplus products to other regions of the country.
