Potato prices in Russia have surged threefold since the start of the year, raising concerns among government officials and consumers alike. The sharp increase is attributed to a combination of factors, including a poor harvest in 2024, rising production costs, and shifting consumer habits.

President Vladimir Putin addressed the issue at a meeting, noting a potato shortage in the country. The Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) has recorded the significant price hikes, with the average cost reaching 95 rubles per kilogram. The Minister of Agriculture has identified potatoes and vegetables as the most critically affected food group.

The low harvest of 2024, resulting from unfavorable weather conditions, seed shortages, and reduced planting areas, is a primary driver of the price increase. Higher costs for fertilizers, fuel, and transportation have further contributed to the problem.

Experts anticipate that prices will decrease in July as the early harvest becomes available. The Minister of Agriculture suggested that prices should fall in July after the early harvest. Similarly, the Director of the Union of Participants in the Potato and Vegetable Market expects prices to decline with the start of mass harvesting. An economist noted that price increases are already slowing down and predicted a price drop by July or August, barring unforeseen inflation. The minimum price movement is expected in September–October, depending on the sown area and yield, assuming a normal summer.

While potato imports are increasing, including from countries like Turkey, experts emphasize the importance of domestic production. One expert believes that ensuring the participation of private household plots in the market could stabilize prices. Another expert pointed out that when the market is saturated with the new harvest and there are a lot of potatoes, prices will fall quite quickly, somewhere at the end of July, August.

In Moscow, prices vary between chain stores and markets, with young potatoes from Azerbaijan and Egypt being sold at higher prices than locally sourced varieties. Muscovites are expressing outrage over the high prices, and Russians are saving on food because of abnormal increases in prices.