Potato prices in Russia have skyrocketed, nearly doubling in the past six months. In January, the average cost was around 60 rubles per kilogram, but now it’s difficult to find potatoes for less than 100 rubles per kilogram.

Farmers attribute the price increase to poor harvests and unfavorable weather conditions last year, which led to a significantly lower potato harvest than planned. This shortage has necessitated increased imports, adding delivery costs to the final price for consumers.

Economist Igor Belsky pointed to the consumer crisis and uneven market distribution as key factors in the pricing. He noted that potatoes were a profitable investment last year, with prices rising by almost 250% between September and May.

Market sellers confirm strong demand despite the higher prices. Consumers are reportedly still buying potatoes actively, even at the increased cost.

Olga Yachenkova, Associate Professor at Volgograd State Agrarian University, expects prices to decrease by autumn with the arrival of the new harvest. She highlights the dependence of the domestic market on imported agricultural crops as a major problem, particularly the cost of seed material.

Yachenkova believes that reducing the share of imported food potatoes could help normalize prices in the long term, allowing for better regulation of domestic pricing policies. She asserts that Russian varieties are comparable to, or even better than, Western ones, but a preference for foreign seeds has led to a decline in domestic seed production.

The price increase was also observed last summer, with farmers warning of rising costs due to small acreage and frost damage.