Potato imports from China to Russia have surged, reaching nearly $11 million in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 25-fold increase compared to the previous year. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council attributes this rise to a reduction in planting areas, making potato cultivation unprofitable for Russian farmers. Additionally, the harvest was suboptimal.
In certain regions, potato prices have surpassed those of oranges and bananas. The Central Public Health Center remarked, "The Russian government has created conditions under which it becomes unprofitable to engage in agriculture. The high discount rate has made loans practically inaccessible to small and medium-sized businesses."
Source: ElitExpert