It is almost mid-October on the calendar, and the region's farms are still harvesting potatoes. It's all late summer. Until now, they have not harvested in five districts. The quality of the potatoes was also disappointing.
Should we expect a shortage and high prices for second bread?
Nobody expected to see a combine harvester here in mid-October, only nature decided otherwise. They were supposed to harvest potatoes in Kholmogory a month ago, however, as in all other regions. Summer prevented - cold and rainy. However, today 74% of the potato crop has been harvested in Pomorie. It is grown in the region by about 10 large farms, including the Kholmogorskoye enterprise. It specializes mainly in the cultivation of elite seed potatoes of 25 varieties. Therefore, most of the harvest "Kholmogorskoye" goes to other regions of Russia - it is purposefully taken for seeds. But, nevertheless, 35 percent ends up on the shelves of local stores.
Alexander Yurin, Acting Head of FSUE "Kholmogorskoye":
“A certain shortage of the harvest, a certain decrease in it, contributes to the increase in prices for these products. That is, if last year the average selling price for our potatoes was no more than 13-14 rubles per kilogram, that is, at the moment, we only sell ware potatoes, today this price is 23 rubles. "
Before planting, potatoes undergo an examination in laboratories, and in preparation for storage, they are carefully sorted. But the waterlogged soil this year leaves the risk of developing a fungal disease in the tubers - late blight. But the Ministry of Agriculture and Trade notes that the northerners will definitely not be left without mashed potatoes, potato pancakes and other potato dishes.
Irina Bazhanova, Minister of Agriculture and Trade of the Arkhangelsk Region:
“We have worked out the issue with our regional retail chains that we need to think in advance where these potatoes will be supplied from, so that the price is not high and affordable for our consumer. Today, I know that contracts have been concluded with the Krasnodar Territory, negotiations are underway with Chuvashia. That is, we will not be left without potatoes. "
This season's potato harvest is projected to be half that of last year. There are still fields to be cleaned in 5 districts. Under favorable weather conditions, the harvesting of potatoes in Pomorie will be finished in two weeks.
Alexandra Nevdakh, https://www.pomorie.ru