The Russian government has reduced its federal support for potato and vegetable production in 2025 by 13%, allocating 3.7 billion rubles, down from 4.24 billion rubles used in 2024, according to the Ministry of Agriculture's national report on agricultural development.
The budget cut is attributed to a lower funding demand from regional authorities and the restructuring of farming enterprises that made some applicants ineligible. Despite this, 99.9% of last year's allocated funds were used.
In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture selected nine investment projects in potato and vegetable farming with a combined value of 1.35 billion rubles.
Russia's potato acreage shrank to 281,300 hectares in 2024 from 313,700 hectares in 2023. However, the ministry forecasts a modest rebound to 286,300 hectares this year, anticipating a solid harvest if weather conditions remain favorable.
Amid rising prices, potatoes have become the fastest-growing product in Russia's fruit and vegetable market in 2025. Prices have surged by more than 1.5 times since the beginning of the year, prompting the government to introduce a 150,000-ton duty-free import quota. This may be expanded to 300,000 tons, with a final decision pending approval by the Eurasian Economic Commission. The quota is valid until July 31, 2025.
Source: www.interfax.ru