Russia’s 2026 Potato Harvest Forecast at About 8 Million Tonnes
Russia is expected to harvest about 8 million tonnes of potatoes in 2026, less than last year but close to the recent average. Domestic supply is expected to remain sufficient despite flood damage in two regions, while about 3 million tonnes will go to processing.
Harvest expected to remain near the recent average
Russia’s potato harvest is forecast at about 8 million tonnes in 2026, according to Алексей Красильников, executive director of the Potato Union. He told URA.RU that production would probably be lower than last year, although the projected volume remains within the average range recorded in recent years.
The forecast points to a smaller crop without indicating a nationwide shortage. No comparable figure for the previous harvest was provided, so the scale of the year-on-year decline remains unclear. For producers and buyers, the more relevant signal is that expected output remains close to the market’s recent norm.
Wholesale potato prices are currently about 22–24 rubles per kilogram, 360.ru reported. This is slightly above last year’s level, but Алексей Красильников described the movement as insignificant when broader inflation and fuel costs are taken into account. The current price range therefore reflects higher operating costs as well as conditions in the potato market.
Regional flood losses can be covered by domestic shipments
Flooding damaged potato farms in the Tyumen and Sverdlovsk regions. However, the losses are not expected to create a product deficit because demand in the affected regions can be met with supplies from other parts of Russia.
This ability to redirect potatoes between producing and consuming regions will be important for containing local disruptions. The national harvest outlook suggests that the principal challenge will be logistics and regional availability rather than an overall lack of potatoes. For wholesalers and retailers, sourcing from other Russian regions could limit the effect of flood damage on local shelves and prices.
Russian consumers spend an average of 350–400 rubles per person each month on potatoes. The relatively modest household expenditure makes potatoes a basic food category, while changes in wholesale prices remain relevant for retailers, catering companies and processors purchasing larger volumes.
Imports and processing support market balance
Imports account for only part of Russian potato supply and are concentrated mainly in April, May and June. Russia imported about 500,000 tonnes of potatoes in the first half of 2026, a volume described as consistent with the average result of the past decade. Imports therefore continue to perform a seasonal balancing role rather than replacing the domestic crop.
About 3 million tonnes of potatoes are expected to be sent for processing this year. The crop will be used to manufacture French fries, chips, potato flakes and starch. Industry experts cited in the report said processing and exports help relieve pressure on the domestic market during periods of overproduction. With the harvest projected near the recent average, processing capacity provides growers with an outlet beyond the fresh market and can reduce the risk of excess supply weighing on prices.
