Specialists of the Expert and Analytical Center for Agribusiness "AB-Center" the www.ab-centre.r prepared a study "Analysis of foreign trade (export, import) of Russia in seed potatoes in 2001-2021". Below are some excerpts from the work.
Russia's foreign trade in seed potatoes is characterized by:
— Growth in export volumes in 2017-2020.
In 2001-2016 deliveries of seed potatoes from Russia were at rather low levels. Since 2017, a significant increase in exports has begun. In 2020, volumes rose to a record high of 70,1 thousand tons.
— Some reduction in export deliveries in 2021.
In January-November 2021, there was a reduction in volumes to 31,3 thousand tons. However, the full year 2021 is the third largest indicator for the entire period covered in the study. The reduction in export supplies is associated with an increase in demand for seed potatoes in the domestic market on the part of potato farms. This, in turn, is caused by the high level of prices for marketable potatoes.
— The lack of a pronounced diversification of export deliveries by country.
The main country of destination, which accounts for most of the commodity flows, is Azerbaijan. In some years, large volumes are shipped to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
- A significant reduction in imports.
In 2018-2020 there was a significant reduction in imports. In 2020, deliveries decreased to 9,2 thousand tons. For comparison, they reached peak values in 2011 - 39,0 thousand tons, in 2015 - 33,3 thousand tons and in 2017 - 27,7 thousand tons. The trend towards a reduction in the import of seed potatoes to the Russian Federation is largely due to an increase in the supply of these products on the domestic market.
— Partial restoration of the supply of imported seed potatoes in 2021 and their expected further expansion in 2022.
In January-November 2021, deliveries, compared to the same period in 2020, increased by 83,4% to 16,8 thousand tons. The growth in deliveries is associated with an increased demand for seed material in the face of rising prices for commercial products. In 2022, provided that the weather conditions are relatively favorable, a significant expansion of the area under potato cultivation is expected. This will require even more seed potatoes to plant.
The market for imported potatoes is dominated by products from Germany, Belarus and the Netherlands. Large volumes are also imported from Poland, the United Kingdom and Finland.
- Pronounced seasonality of imports.
The main volume in 2019-2020 fell in March-May with the most significant deliveries in April.
— A narrow circle of companies supplying seed potatoes to Russia.
In 2020, the TOP-10 foreign manufacturers (if we do not take into account supplies from the EAEU countries) accounted for 96,9% of all volumes, in January-November 2021 - 92,2%. As for importing companies registered in the Russian Federation, the TOP-10 accounted for 2020% of volumes in 95,4, and 2021% in January-November 93,8.