Privileges for the import of imported potatoes may be canceled in case of a good harvest.

Privileges for the import of imported potatoes will be canceled in case of a good harvest. The Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Oksana Lut said this in an exclusive interview with Izvestia at the SPIEF.

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"Prices for vegetable products largely depend on the season and the volume of production in a given year. For example, in 2023 we had a record potato harvest. This effectively brought down prices, and manufacturers were forced to sell their products below cost. Against the background of this low base, we really see a serious increase in value," Oksana Lut said.

At the same time, according to her, last year's harvest was actually quite good: at the average level over the past five years. Potatoes were on the shelves all season, there was no shortage, and prices for them only caught up with the level of accumulated inflation over 10 years in March.

"I believe that the excessive hype around this issue regarding the extension of the duty-free import quota also played a role in this. If the weather allows us to harvest as planned, we will consider suspending the benefits in order to support our producers," Oksana Lut explained.

Read more in an exclusive interview with Izvestia:

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