Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has instructed an increase in potato production to address domestic demands while assisting Russia, amid regional shortages and heightened food prices. This announcement occurred in a discussion with Governor Piotr Parkhomchik of Brest Oblast, with emphasis on expanding agricultural output for staple vegetables such as potatoes, beets, carrots, cabbage, and onions.
"This issue is very serious for us. If there is anything we are very good at, it is growing potatoes," Lukashenko stated, following a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who humorously brought up the topic. Lukashenko noted that enhanced potato production would benefit both Russia, currently in a potato shortage, and the Belarusian economy.
The directive follows substantial crop damage in adjacent countries due to frost, which has impacted yields and increased demand. Lukashenko highlighted the necessity to build stabilization stocks and consider suitable storage solutions to manage the anticipated production increase.
Belarus has recently rescinded its ban on importing potatoes, apples, onions, and cabbage from the European Union. The official announcement framed this as a response to the EU's new tariffs on Belarusian agricultural goods, underlining principles of openness and good neighborly relations, echoing its policy of visa-free entry for EU citizens. However, the modification also indicates the pressure caused by the existing food situation, characterized by a potato deficit impacting both Belarus and Russia.
Earlier reports from May revealed that Lukashenko had acknowledged a shortage of potatoes in Belarusian stores, attributing the scarcity to local producers prioritizing exports to Russia, where potato prices nearly double those in Belarus. Despite his earlier mandates to regulate prices and enhance food reserves, these objectives remain unachieved. He has since encouraged citizens to plant potatoes on private plots to mitigate the effects of reduced yields.
According to Russian trade statistics, Belarus exported a record 170,000 tons of potatoes to Russia in 2024, a 60.8% increase from the previous year. These exports happened even as Belarus dealt with its own shortages and domestic price controls that make local sales less advantageous for farmers.
Russia continues to deal with food inflation, with potatoes significantly impacted. President Putin recently conceded the severity of the shortage, attributing it to decreased domestic yields and stressing regional cooperation on food security.
Source 1: Belta
Source 2: New Voice of Ukraine