In September, Russia imported 15,259 tons of potatoes with a value of 5 million dollars. Never before did Russia buy so many potatoes abroad in one month so early in the season, according to news agency Agra Europe. Drought reduced Russia's potato harvest. Also a lot of troubles are reported with storage. Total import this year could increase to 1 million tons. This would be a record.
The price of potatoes increases in Russia, according to Agra Europe. "The purchase price of potatoes for supermarkets is now at a minimum of 480 Euro per ton. A year ago the purchase price was 190 Euro."
September last year Russia imported 1,644 tons of potatoes and September 2008 this was 5,060 tons. The largest Russian import up till now was during the period from October 2002 to September 2003 inclusive with 569,133 tons of potatoes. During that period the Netherlands were the biggest suppliers by far.
