Supplies of potatoes from Egypt to Russia have been reduced, prices are rising, but stabilization is expected thanks to domestic potatoes.

Deliveries of potatoes from Egypt to Russia have been reduced, which led to an increase in prices on the market. According to data provided by Rosstat, the prices for potatoes have increased by 25.6% since the beginning of the month. However, the director of the Potato Union, Alexey Krasilnikov, assures that the situation will stabilize due to deliveries of domestic potatoes. In previous years, from May to June, Egypt usually supplied 300,000 to 500,000 tons of potatoes. It is expected that within two weeks, shipments of early domestic potatoes from southern regions will begin.

According to Krasilnikov, in some regions, potato planting areas have been reduced due to low profitability, but in other areas, including the Moscow region, volumes have remained the same, and no problems with potatoes are expected. The expert also clarified that it is still early to make forecasts regarding the harvest, as planting work is just coming to an end.

Krasilnikov noted that the delivery of Egyptian potatoes has become more difficult due to changes in logistics and payment issues. Nevertheless, potato supplies continue from Azerbaijan. In some southern regions of Russia, such as the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea, the harvesting of early potatoes grown in Russia has already begun. The market will be saturated with potatoes in the next two weeks.

As Krasilnikov explained, in May and June, there is traditionally an increase in prices for potatoes and other vegetables. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, approximately 80% of the planned potato planting areas have already been sown. Last year, a record level of potato collection was set - about 9 million tons. Of course, we need to wait for this year's harvest, as it may be affected by weather and other factors. A decrease in prices on the market is expected in July.

The head of the Potato Union's office, Tatiana Gubina, previously proposed protecting the Russian market from imported products. She suggested increasing the import duty on table potatoes to 15% (it is currently 5%) and restricting the import of potatoes and their processing. Gubina emphasized the importance of stores not replacing Russian potatoes with imported products. In her opinion, the introduction of a protective duty is necessary both for potato producers and for processing enterprises.