Vegetable and potato growing in Russia: results of 2023

The article presents the current state of the vegetable and potato growing industries in Russia by the end of 2023, describes the main challenges and realities faced by these agricultural sectors, and assesses the prospects for their development in the coming years. The gross yields and yields of the main vegetable crops and potatoes are given. The dynamics of the production of protected ground vegetables is covered and analyzed in detail, with an emphasis on the harvesting of cucumbers and tomatoes. The trends that have developed in the industries are briefly considered. The situation on the Russian potato market is also highlighted. Attention is focused on export opportunities, competition in various markets and the potential of potato processing in Russia. Special attention is paid to the issues of storage and logistics, as well as the plans of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation to expand crop storage facilities and impose restrictions on the import of potato seeds from unfriendly countries by the end of 2025. Despite a number of difficulties, by the end of 2023, the vegetable and potato growing industries showed significant growth. Despite a slight reduction in acreage, the average yield of open-ground vegetables increased to 27.2 t/ha, and the profitability of their production increased to 31.8% compared to the previous year. In 2023, exports of fruits and vegetables from Russia increased significantly (+55%), while imports decreased slightly (-2%). There is an increase in gross yields of protected soil vegetables, which reached 1.69 million tons, and a record profitability of production in this segment (22.8%). Although the acreage under potatoes has decreased to 1,070 million hectares, the total production volume has reached a maximum over the past 30 years (8.6 million tons). The stable development of industries have become possible thanks to significantly increased government support, the opening of new export markets and the introduction of innovations at all stages of agricultural crops production.

Key words: vegetable growing, potato growing, gross harvest, import substitution, food independence.