Russia’s potato imports from China rose 70% in June but lagged last year
Russia imported $7.4 million of Chinese potatoes in June, 1.7 times the value recorded in May, according to Chinese customs data cited by RIA Novosti. Despite the monthly increase, shipments were 42% below the previous June, while first-half imports more than halved year on year.
June purchases climb to $7.4 million
Russia sharply increased its purchases of potatoes from China at the beginning of summer, although trade remained well below the previous year’s level. Imports reached $7.4 million in June, 1.7 times the value recorded in May, according to Chinese customs data cited by RIA Novosti.
The monthly increase signals stronger immediate demand for Chinese supplies. Based on the reported growth rate, Russia’s purchases in May were approximately $4.4 million. The data provided by the publication measure imports by value and do not specify shipment volumes, average prices or the regions receiving the potatoes.
China therefore expanded its position in the Russian market between May and June, but the comparison with the previous year presents a different picture. The value of June shipments was 42% lower than in the same month a year earlier. The latest monthly rise did not offset the broader contraction in bilateral potato trade.
First-half imports more than halve
From January through June, Russia spent $22.4 million on potatoes from China, RIA Novosti reported. That was more than two times lower than expenditure during the corresponding period of the previous year. June alone accounted for roughly one-third of the reported first-half import value.
The figures point to a concentrated early-summer increase rather than a return to last year’s purchasing levels. For Chinese suppliers, the June result represents a substantial improvement over May, but first-half sales to Russia remained significantly weaker year on year. Russian importers may have increased purchases to cover short-term requirements, although the source material does not identify the cause of the monthly change.
The absence of volume data also limits conclusions about market prices. A rise in customs value can reflect larger physical deliveries, higher prices or a combination of both. For producers, wholesalers and analysts, subsequent customs figures will be needed to determine whether June marked the start of a sustained recovery in shipments or a temporary purchasing surge.
Domestic harvest provides the wider context
Russia’s Agriculture Ministry said in May that the country harvested 8.5 million tonnes of potatoes in 2025. The vegetable harvest reached 7.6 million tonnes. The ministry described both results as high, providing important context for the lower value of potato imports from China during the first half.
The ministry also said Russia had moved close to the Food Security Doctrine’s target for vegetable self-sufficiency. The country’s ratio stood at 89.6%, compared with a threshold of 90%. The figure relates to vegetables rather than specifically to potatoes, but it illustrates the government’s broader effort to meet domestic demand through local production.
For market participants, the central contrast is between the short-term acceleration in Chinese shipments and their weaker annual performance. June purchases rose 70% from May, yet remained 42% below the previous June, while first-half spending more than halved. The next harvest results and monthly customs releases will show whether Russia continues increasing purchases from China or relies primarily on domestic supply.
