The export of potatoes from Georgia in the first half of 2025 amounted to 78.23 thousand tons, which is 30 times more than the same period last year, according to data from the National Statistical Committee on the side, writes Interfax.
In value terms, exports have also increased 30 times, to 26.5 million dollars.
The main foreign market for sales of Georgian potatoes is Russia, where 50.35 thousand tons of this main agricultural product were sold. This means in practice that in physical terms, almost two-thirds of Georgian potato exports for the quarter went there, and in value terms, supplies to Russia represent 77% of the entire amount for the period (20.5 million dollars).
Thus, the volume of potato supplies from Georgia to the Russian Federation in the first half of 2025 is 3.6 times higher than the export for the whole of 2024 (14 thousand tons).
This rather significant jump in Georgian potato exports, and this is aimed at one country at most, is not accidental.
Belarus is also (will) try to feed Russia with potatoes
Only two months ago it became known that Belarus was ambitious to produce (much) more potatoes, to supply Russia as well. And this was personally stated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. "We need to produce enough potatoes to supply both Belarus and Russia", Lukashenko said then, quoted by the Belarusian agency BelTA.
"This issue is very serious for us. Because if there is one thing we are very good at, it is potato growing. We need to produce enough potatoes to provide for both Belarus and Russia," the Belarusian head of state said two months ago. "We need to help our Russian roots. Besides, we will earn good money from this", Alexander Lykashenko added then.
ΠThe problem with potatoes and their triple price per year
Even before the beginning of summer, it became clear that potatoes, which are almost a daily food in Russia, are not enough, and their prices are skyrocketing, even in some local media there is talk about "potato crisis".
The price hike in 2025 has deep-seated reasons, as the problems have not yet been resolved - shrinking areas with crops, problems with storage, pest attacks, as well as rising costs for fuel, fertilizers, seeds and labor.
The price hikes are already being forced to replace potatoes with cheaper carbohydrates and vegetables official promises, the situation is expected to worsen, at least in the near future.
The average "retail" price of potatoes in Russia at the beginning of July was 92 rubles ($1.2) per kilogram - compared to 56 rubles in June 2024. The "wholesale" price rose even faster - by 88% year-on-year.
Only one region in Russia has not escaped the price shock of this staple food, although the rate of growth has varied significantly. According to Poststat data, a kilogram of potatoes in Moscow in May cost an average of 112 rubles - almost three times more than the price a year earlier. In St. Petersburg, the average price at the same time was 94 rubles, which is also a nearly threefold increase for the year.
The most expensive potatoes are in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, where they cost 191 rubles per kilogram - prices there, however, have increased by only 3% for the year.
The cheapest potatoes by the middle of the year were in the Amur region - only 8% more per year, up to 60 rubles per kilogram.
ΠThe listed prices are average, but for different types of goods and at different "retail" merchants, buyers often see much higher prices in reality. For example, even in the cheaper "Magnit" grocery stores in Moĸva, ĸaptofi ce is being sold for 130-140 pibls (about 1.75 dollars) per kilo still in May.