Does Russia Face Potato Shortage

Abstract

The reports which were made public late in 2017 and early in 2018 on a decrease in potato output in the Russian Federation and substantial growth in potato imports do not reflect the actual state of things. Potato output is still at the average multi-year level. Despite some price rises, potato prices remain low. They are unable to instigate the food inflation because the share of potato is insignificantly low in the cost of the food basket.