OREANDA-NEWS  By the end of this year, the total potato harvest by agricultural organizations and farmers in Russia may drop significantly. This forecast was given by the head of the Potato Union's office, Tatyana Gubina, as quoted by Interfax.

During the reporting period, the fees may decrease by 0.5-1 million tons and reach 7.5-8 million, she expects. Among other things, a reduction in acreage will contribute to such dynamics.

Gubina notes that import difficulties will add to the industry's problems. It has become extremely difficult to import potatoes directly from Egypt due to serious problems with shipping by sea.

Against this background, supplies will have to be redirected to the northwestern part of Russia. But even here, certain difficulties may arise, Gubina explains. "St. Petersburg is a narrow neck, which is now occupied by grain and other products," she stated.

All these factors may eventually lead to a general rise in the price of potatoes in Russia, experts warn. In early autumn, the average retail price of potatoes increased by 28.8 percent. This trend may continue in the foreseeable future, given the falling harvest and logistical difficulties with imports from abroad.