1. Weekly News

Belarus

Potato Shortage in Belarus Sparks Concern Over National Staple and Soaring Prices

In Belarus, potatoes, long considered a national staple and symbol of rural identity, have become scarce. Residents have reported store shortages for months, with available supplies often small, damaged, and poorly quality. Between Jan-25 and Mar-25, prices surged by 10%, reaching up to USD 1.55 per kilogram (kg). The shortage is particularly striking given the potato's cultural significance as the second bread in Belarus. The crisis has drawn attention due to its economic and symbolic impact in a country where even the president has publicly promoted potato farming as a point of national pride.

Latvia

Wet Weather Disrupted Latvian Potato Planting in 2025

Potato growers in Latvia experienced tough conditions in 2025 due to unpredictable weather. Some farmers planted early potatoes on time, but cold weather and high humidity later disrupted the rest of the planting. According to a June 4 report from Latvian Radio, waterlogged and muddy fields prevented tractors from entering, forcing some growers to halt planting operations. Farmers reported that the cold spell and heavy rain that followed the initial sowing delayed later plantings.

Russia

Potato Prices Surged Nearly Tripled Due Supply Shortages

Potato prices surged across Russia, with the staple vegetable now 2.8 times more expensive than a year ago. By early May-25, the average retail price had hit a record high of over USD 1.07/kg, and prices continued to rise. On May-24, the average was around USD 0.38/kg. In some regions, consumers report shocking prices as high as USD 2.53/kg. The situation has drawn attention at the highest levels of government. This has caught the attention of top government officials. The president acknowledged the country’s potato shortage. Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister, who oversees agriculture, admitted that the government reacted too slowly to stabilize the food market, a direct nod to the intensifying potato crisis.

Spain

Spanish Early Potato Harvest Kicks Off with Mixed Results

Spanish farmers began the early potato harvest in early Apr-25 in the country’s two key producing regions, Murcia and Andalusia. Growers in Murcia report yields similar to last year, while those in Andalusia report production losses and generally smaller potato sizes due to recent rains.

United Kingdom

Cold Weather Boosts UK Potato Demand as Early Varieties Hit Market

Cold weather in W22 will boost household potato consumption in the United Kingdom (UK). Meanwhile, the food service sector experienced a modest uptick in demand over the bank holiday weekend. In the southeast, growers are bringing early varieties like Home Guard and Premiere to market, where they are seeing strong demand and good quality. Farmers expect to begin harvesting Queens within two weeks. The current market shows more stability than in 2024 when supply was severely limited. Across mainland Europe, recent rains of 10 to 20 millimeters (mm) or more in key potato-growing regions, from France to the Netherlands, have eased drought stress. In the UK, rainfall has improved field conditions and supported crop development. Buyers continue to pay firm prices for top-quality potatoes.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Potato Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Potato Pricing Important Exporters (W22 2024 to W22 2025) 

France

In W22, cooler-than-average spring temperatures delayed the new potato season harvest, tightening supply and pushing prices up. Potato prices rose 2.17% week-on-week (WoW) and 34.29% month-on-month (MoM) to USD 0.47/kg. Producers forecast a 3% year-on-year (YoY) decline in 2025 production to 6.6 million metric tons (mmt), dropping from 6.8 mmt in 2024, further limiting stock availability. Strong domestic demand from retail and processing sectors, higher tariffs, and logistical challenges that reduced imports contributed to the price increase during this period.

Germany

In W22, Germany’s wholesale potato prices held steady at USD 0.67/kg but declined slightly by 1.47% MoM and dropped 18.29% YoY. Steady supply from the new season’s harvest ensured fresh potatoes consistently reached the market. Harvesting activities gradually increased across key growing regions like Lower Saxony and Bavaria, maintaining supply levels and preventing sharp price spikes. Meanwhile, moderate demand from processing industries, including producers of potato chips and frozen products, put slight downward pressure on prices. Seasonal fluctuations also influenced the market, as consumer demand typically softens after peak periods like holidays and festivals. The balance between stable supply and tempered demand kept prices relatively steady, with only a marginal monthly decrease.

Pakistan

In W22, potato prices in Pakistan rose 18.75% WoW and 26.67% MoM, reaching USD 0.19/kg. Adverse weather conditions in key producing regions such as Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa disrupted supply, delaying harvesting and reducing the volume of marketable potatoes. Transportation challenges and rising fuel costs increased distribution expenses, pushing prices higher. Moderate domestic demand and limited local stocks further supported the price gains as traders anticipated tighter availability in the short term.

Egypt

In W22, Egypt’s potato prices fell sharply by 41.67% WoW and MoM while dropping 61.11% YoY to USD 0.07/kg. Favorable weather in key growing regions like the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt boosted yields, increasing production by 8% YoY to an estimated 3.5 mmt. The abundant supply of fresh potatoes flooding the domestic market pushed prices down. At the same time, traditional buyers in the Gulf and Europe reduced export demand, which kept more stock within Egypt and further suppressed prices.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Implement Cold-Resistant and Early-Maturing Potato Varieties in Belarus and Latvia

Agricultural research centers and seed companies in Belarus and Latvia should accelerate the development and distribution of cold-resistant, early-maturing potato varieties such as ‘Solara’, ‘Katahdin’, or local breeds proven to withstand wet and cold conditions. Farmers must be trained on planting these varieties and adjusting planting schedules to avoid crop losses caused by late cold spells and waterlogged fields. These efforts will improve potato availability by enabling more reliable and timely harvests despite unpredictable weather. They will also help stabilize market prices by reducing supply shortages and strengthening the cultural and economic resilience of rural communities that rely on potato farming.

Expand Modern Storage and Supply Chain Infrastructure in Russia and Belarus

Public and private sector stakeholders should invest in modern, climate-controlled storage infrastructure and upgraded logistics systems in Russia and Belarus. This includes building enhanced cold storage facilities, deploying refrigerated transport, and improving market coordination to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure efficient distribution from surplus to deficit areas. These investments help reduce spoilage and maintain potato quality during supply shortages or transport delays. They also mitigate sharp price spikes caused by supply bottlenecks, benefiting consumers and producers. Ultimately, these actions strengthen food security and market stability, helping to ease political and social tensions tied to staple food shortages.

Coordinate Regional Crop Insurance and Risk Management Programs

National governments and agricultural agencies in affected countries such as Belarus, Latvia, Russia, and Pakistan should develop or expand crop insurance schemes that cover weather-related risks, including flooding, drought, and temperature extremes. These insurance programs should integrate with early warning systems and deliver timely financial assistance to farmers impacted by adverse conditions. These schemes encourage farmers to continue potato cultivation despite unpredictable weather. They also help maintain stable production volumes by mitigating farmer losses and preventing sudden supply shocks in the market. Moreover, these programs incentivize investment in resilient agronomic practices and quality inputs, strengthening the long-term sustainability of the potato sector.

Sources: Tridge, Fresh Plaza, Lemonde, Meduza,