Vladivostok Potato Prices Range: 55 to 450 Rubles per Kilogram
Boom, Here's the Lowdown on those Spuds in Vladivostok
Vladimir Putin's recently voiced concerns about Russia's potato shortage, even with Belarusian imports, have been validated. A PrimaMedia news agency correspondent explored the situation in Vladivostok and the Primorye region by visiting various stores and markets.
In the city of Vladivostok, potatoes primarily come from Russia, China, and Pakistan, but Belarusian potatoes were conspicuously absent. Larger retailers offer different types of potatoes at varying prices. For instance, "Sambeри" sells Pakistani potatoes for 129.99 rubles per kilogram, the priciest option, while Chinese potatoes cost 67.99 rubles per kilogram, and Russian packaged potatoes from Surazhevka go for 79.99 rubles per kilogram.
Similarly, supermarket "Remі" has similar prices: a kilogram of Surazhevka potatoes costs 89.90 rubles, Pakistani potatoes cost 129.90 rubles, and Chinese potatoes cost 64.90 rubles. All of these are potatoes from the previous year's harvest.
At the market near Balyayeva Square, potatoes from Khoryol are available for 80 rubles per kilogram, and there are options to buy for 90 rubles per kilogram. Young Primorye potatoes cost 300 rubles per kilogram, which is a significant increase from a few days ago when they were sold for 450 rubles.
At the Sports Market, prices for last year's harvest start at 55 rubles per kilogram, but the average price is 60 rubles per kilogram. Young and large potatoes are offered for 80 rubles, but they are evidently not local, as the skin is still soft, indicating freshness.
Young Primorye potatoes are scarce at "Sports Market": only two points with prices of 150 and 300 rubles per kilogram were found. The more expensive potatoes were grown in Kraunovka.
Compared to the end of 2024, prices have seen slight changes. As previously reported by PrimaMedia news agency, in December, potatoes cost 69.90 rubles per kilogram, and Belarusian potatoes cost 99.90 rubles per kilogram.
Belarus and Russia's Primorye Territory are working on strengthening their agro-industrial ties, including joint projects like an agricultural and grain elevator complex expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The cooperation aims to expand the range of supplied products and improve food security in the region, but as of June 2025, the new facilities are not yet operational.
Infrastructure and logistical bottlenecks, project delays, seasonal fluctuations, domestic production issues, and underinvestment in agricultural technology are some of the factors behind the potato shortage in Russia, despite Belarusian imports. Although Belarus is a major exporter of potatoes to Russia, logistical challenges and distance can disrupt timely delivery, particularly in remote areas like Primorye.
Efforts to combat the shortage include strengthening agro-industrial ties with Belarus and initiating new agricultural projects such as the grain and agricultural complex in Primorye. However, the benefits are not yet fully realized, resulting in continued supply constraints and periodic shortages in Russia, including the Far East.
- Despite Vladimir Putin's concerns about a potato shortage in Russia, global cuisines offered in various stores and markets in Vladivostok primarily source potatoes from Russia, China, Pakistan, and Belarus was noticeably absent.
- Interested in lifestyle and food-and-drink topics, a PrimaMedia news agency correspondent found that larger retailers like "Sambeри" and "Remі" offer different types of potatoes at varying prices, with Pakistani potatoes being the priciest option.
- A potential solution to this issue is the cooperation between Belarus and Russia's Primorye Territory to strengthen their agro-industrial ties through projects like an agricultural and grain elevator complex, aiming to improve food security in the region.
- However, the benefits of these policy-and-legislation efforts have not yet been fully realized, and infrastructure and logistical bottlenecks, project delays, seasonal fluctuations, domestic production issues, and underinvestment in agricultural technology continue to contribute to periodic shortages in Russia, including the Far East, making it an ongoing issue of general news interest.
