Potato market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Russian potato market volume contracted from 22 782 thousand tonnes to 18 698 thousand tonnes. This decline coincided with a period of macroeconomic challenges, including high central bank interest rates and inflationary pressures, which constrained producer investment. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains and shifted consumer behavior, while the introduction of stricter regulations on seed potato imports in 2021 tightened the supply of quality planting material for farmers.

The market reversed its downward trend in 2022, growing to 19 325 thousand tonnes, as geopolitical tensions and international sanctions prompted a strong push for import substitution and self-sufficiency. This period saw major agribusinesses like Miratorg and the Vkusno – i Tochka restaurant chain announce plans to build new frozen french fry and potato processing facilities, directly boosting domestic industrial capacity. Volume stabilized near 19 389 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by continued investment in processing and industry initiatives to create a unified national potato brand with improved labeling, catering to growing consumer demand for convenience products like fries and snacks.

Production potato in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia ranked as the world's fourth-largest producer of potatoes.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Russia's potato production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 19,607 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a significant year-over-year decrease of 11.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22,395 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Potato production in Russia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2,334 million US dollars, representing a 4.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports potato from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Russia's potato export volume reached 424.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a sharp year-over-year increase of 27.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 185.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 0.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 79.7%. From 2018 to 2020, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 2.3 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine (52.3% of exports in kind), Azerbaijan (25.4% of exports in kind), and Uzbekistan (8.9% of exports in kind) consistently held the top positions in Russia's potato export structure, together accounting for 86.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's foreign potato supplies increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 50.5 million US dollars worth of potatoes, up 37.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 113.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 28.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 22.7 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 4.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 62.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine (43.3% of exports in value terms), Azerbaijan (21.9% of exports in value terms), and Uzbekistan (10.4% of exports in value terms) consistently remained the main destinations for Russia's potato exports, together accounting for 75.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Russia imported 316.2 thousand tonnes of potatoes, which is 5.1% higher year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 43.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 300.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 47.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 573.0 thousand tonnes.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for potato imports to Russia in kind were Egypt (57.8% of imports in kind), Azerbaijan (14.1% of imports in kind), and China (9.8% of imports in kind), which together accounted for 81.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of potato imports to Russia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 125.7 million US dollars, representing a decrease of 5.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 43.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Egypt (54.7% of imports in value terms), Azerbaijan (15.9% of imports in value terms), and China (11.2% of imports in value terms) led the structure of potato imports to Russia, together representing 81.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020