As of May 2025, Russia imported 432,200 tonnes of potatoes, 3.5 times more than during the same period in 2024 (124,800 tonnes), according to Rosselkhoznadzor, citing data from the Argus-Fito system.
The largest volumes came from:
- Egypt, 274,500 tonnes (4.5x growth from 59,300 tonnes)
- China, 65,500 tonnes (up from 2,500 tonnes)
- Georgia, 30,400 tonnes (no deliveries in 2024)
- Pakistan, 8,200 tonnes (up from 1,900 tonnes)
- Kazakhstan, 7,000 tonnes (up from 448 tonnes)
- Armenia, 5,100 tonnes (up from 490 tonnes).
Potatoes have become the fastest-rising product among fruits and vegetables in Russia this year, prompting authorities to introduce a duty-free import quota of 150,000 tonnes. The Ministry of Agriculture has proposed doubling this quota to 300,000 tonnes, with discussions ongoing at the EEC level. The quota is in effect until July 31, 2025.
According to Rosstat data as of May 5, potato prices have increased by more than 1.5 times since the start of the year, the highest rate among all tracked fruit and vegetable categories.
As of May 11, Russia imported 13,000 tonnes of onions from Egypt, 1.7 times more than in the same period of 2024 (7,600 tonnes).
The outlook for expanding mutual agricultural trade was discussed during a meeting between Sergey Dankvert, the head of Rosselkhoznadzor, and Mostafa El-Sayyad, Egypt's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
According to the official release, Dankvert emphasized Russia's interest in diversifying imports of Egyptian fruits and vegetables that are not typically grown in its climate.
Source: www.interfax.ru