– We need to produce enough for [zaspokojenia] own needs, but also for Russia – said Aleksander Lukashenko during a meeting with regional officials in Minsk.
Potato has long been a symbol of the Lukashenko and agricultural regime of Belarus – a country with a large extent planned. Łukaszenko himself was once the head of the Sowchoz – a state farm. Recently, Belarus has problems with food supply. According to Lukashenko, the reason is that Russia bought a significant part of Belarusian stocks.
– We must support the Russians, our brothers – said the Belarusian leader, recognizing the cultivation of potatoes not only as a gesture of solidarity, but also as a favorable economic occasion.
Continued article under video material
Recently, food prices in Russia have increased significantly. This is particularly visible on the example of potatoes that recorded one of the largest price increases. This situation prompted the authorities of Belarus to increase the regulated vegetable prices. Recently, it also abolished the ban on the import of fruit and vegetables from the European Union introduced in December 2021 in response to Western sanctions.
According to official data, in 2024, Belarus exported a record amount of 170,000 to Russia. tons of potatoes, which annually was an increase of 60.8 percent. In Russia, the price of potatoes is almost twice as high as in Belarus. According to the Russian newspaper, “Kommiersant” from the beginning of the year, potatoes have become 52 percent there, reaching a historic level of 85.4 ruble (about PLN 4) per kg. A decline in collections in Russia – by 12 percent, contributed to the current crisis. Last year, due to spring frosts and heavy rainfall – and reducing the cultivation area after abundant harvest in 2023.
In this situation, the governor of the Królewiec region Alexei Biesprozwanny banned local farmers of potato export to other regions of Russia.
