Private garden plots in Russia experiencing significant drop in potato production: Could affordability in markets be the reason for decline?
Decline in Private Potato Production in Russia: The Root Causes
Once a staple for many Russian families, potato cultivation on personal plots has significantly decreased, causing a lack of supply and skyrocketing prices. This shift away from homegrown potatoes has been attributed to a range of factors, including reduced inclination, weather challenges, economic aspects, and seed shortages.
In the past, private plots across Russia accounted for up to 90-95% of the country's potato production. However, as time progressed, households began to contribute less to the overall harvest. According to recent statistics from Rosstat, households now account for slightly over half of the potato harvest, while commercial sector production continues to increase. In the mid-2000s, citizens were growing around 18 million tons of potatoes annually for self-consumption, but in the last year, they harvested only 11 million tons.
Several experts believe that even the 11 million tons from households might be an overestimation due to the difficulty of tracking gardening successes or failures. Rosstat primarily relies on agricultural census data, which is not collected annually, with the last one conducted in 2021.
A survey carried out by SuperJob in 2025 found that only 39% of dacha and garden plot owners planned on planting potatoes, a sharp decline from the 61% reported just two years earlier. Potato advocates cited a preference for store-bought alternatives due to the hard work associated with maintaining a garden, while opponents cited a lack of time and energy for such activities.
The perceived insignificant role played by potatoes in consumer spending has also contributed to the decrease in their cultivation. In 2024, potatoes accounted for less than 0.3% of overall consumption expenditure, although this percentage has likely increased with the recent price surge.
Experts suggest that economic factors, such as increased costs related to controlling abandoned land, transportation expenses, and taxes, have deterred many individuals from growing potatoes on their personal plots. Even with current potato prices ranging from 90-100 rubles per kilogram, cultivating potatoes is no longer financially viable for many in comparison to the Soviet era.
Moreover, ecological concerns and a shift in priorities towards leisure activities have led many to abandon their gardens altogether. Sergei Mynakov, founder of the company "Land MO," observed that when new buyers of land develop their properties, there's often little extra space available for potato cultivation. Instead, trees and greenhouses are generally prioritized to create a more attractive landscape.
In addition to private gardeners, those living in rural areas have also started to buy their potatoes from stores. This change has led some to question whether the government's attempts to regulate and control farming have discouraged personal farming altogether. Furthermore, the inefficiency of potato production on smaller scales, coupled with the increasing sophistication of farming techniques and storage solutions, has made it less appealing for many.
One major issue with home potato storage is the need for a stable temperature of 2 to 5 degrees Celsius. Modern city apartments, with their limited storage options, often struggle to maintain this temperature consistently. As a result, home storage is becoming increasingly challenging, with basements and cellars being the most viable solution for proper storage.
Despite the numerous challenges facing small-scale potato cultivation, there is evidence to suggest that people may be turning back to gardening due to the rise in potato prices. Garden centers have reported significant sales in seed potatoes this year, with many seeking to reap the rewards of their labors in order to stabilize their food budgets. Yet, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to combat the shortage and reduced availability of potatoes in Russia.
- The decline in private potato production in Russia has extended beyond just potatoes, as many people are rethinking their lifestyles and spending habits, with personal-finance considerations playing a significant role in this shift.
- The landscape of personal gardening in Russia has undergone a transformation, as gardening spaces are increasingly being used for food-and-drink options other than potatoes, such as variety in food-and-drink production, home-and-garden aesthetics, and food-for-self consumption, owing to a perceived lack of financial viability and available space.
- As the demand for seed potatoes has risen due to the increasing potato prices, some households are reexamining their lifestyle choices, pursuing hobbies like cooking that can make better use of the limited home-and-garden space, and prioritizing personal-finance management over potato cultivation.
