Potato prices in Russia have escalated by 173%, prompting authorities to seek supplies from Mongolia, following initial purchases in Belarus and China. The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) highlights this strategy as a measure to mitigate the sharp price rise.
The CCD notes that Russia's efforts to address the potato shortage led to imports exceeding 4,000 tons from Mongolia in May. Despite traditionally exporting potatoes to Mongolia, Russia's recent actions underscore a critical shortfall within its agricultural sector.
According to the CCD, "Crisis phenomena in the Russian economy are growing, and although the propaganda materials of the Russian Federation are economically sovereign, in reality it is unable to provide its population even with potatoes." This, as stated, stems from sanctions, inflation, and reduced cultivation areas.
President Putin has acknowledged the scarcity, which has caught public attention, particularly given Russia's historical role as an exporter of potatoes. The CCD remarks on Mongolia's relatively recent expansion into potato cultivation, initiated just two decades ago.
Source: UNN