Prices for potatoes in Russia are expected to decline in the fall due to increased production volumes and decreased imports.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture forecast, retail potato prices are expected to start decreasing in the fall, as reported by the "Interfax" news agency. Currently, the market is dominated by imported potatoes, the prices of which depend on various factors, including the exchange rate and logistics.

The average price of potatoes per week from June 4 to 10 increased by 8.9%, which was the highest growth among all food products. The week before, the price of potatoes rose by 6.9%. Over the year, its cost has increased by 57.1%.

The Ministry reminded that last year, 20.2 million tons of potatoes were harvested on all farms, which is 7.4% more than the previous year. The self-sufficiency indicator reached 97% of the threshold value of food security, which is 95%.

As a result, producers' prices decreased by 3.1% and currently amount to approximately 14.64 rubles per kilogram - approximately the same as at the end of last year. In retail, potatoes cost about 47.85 rubles per kilogram as of June 10, according to Rosstat. A year ago (June 13), the price was at the level of 40.4 rubles per kilogram, and on December 25, 2023, it was around 28 rubles per kilogram.

In May and June, vegetables from the "borscht set," including potatoes, usually rise in price due to seasonal factors. During this time, Egypt usually actively supplies potatoes to Russia; however, this year imports have decreased, as reported by Alexey Krasilnikov, Executive Director of the Potato Union.

"Logistics have changed, there are problems with payment for delivery, so the volumes of supplies that were there before will not be the same," he noted. "Azerbaijan, the second largest supplier of potatoes after Egypt, continues to make deliveries."

He also pointed out that by the end of June, the market will begin to be saturated with early domestically grown potatoes, which should stabilize prices. "Of course, we need to wait for the results of this year, as weather conditions and other factors can affect the harvest. We expect a decrease in prices in both the wholesale and retail sectors in July," Krasilnikov predicted.

Meanwhile, Rosselkhoznadzor reported discussing fruit and vegetable supplies to Russia with representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Indian government. The Indian side is interested in expanding the range of supplied products, including potatoes.

Rosselkhoznadzor expects information from the Indian side regarding the planned volumes of potato supplies, the places of its cultivation, and the distribution of quarantine objects in India. Then the parties will continue negotiations on expanding the supplies.