(Adnkronos) – “We must grow enough potatoes so that they are sufficient for Belarus and for Russia.” It is the order from Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, who is asking for an increase in production, as reported by the BelTa agency. “We must help the Russian brothers,” Lukashenko said, promising “earnings.” Similar instructions have come from the Belarusian leader for beets, carrots, onions and sauerkraut.
The news comes after yesterday’s article in the Moscow Times according to which the Russian leader has acknowledged increasing difficulties in Russia due to disappointing harvests that have caused potato prices to skyrocket. “I met with representatives of various sectors, including agriculture. It emerged that we don’t have enough potatoes,” Putin said, specifying that he had spoken with Lukashenko, who has led a country that is highly dependent on agriculture since 1994.
Potatoes have become a rare commodity in Belarus, Le Monde wrote in recent days, underlining how for months the population has complained about the difficulties in finding the tubers considered the “second bread” and how between January and March prices have risen by 10%, while the quality of what is a staple food in Belarus has plummeted. According to experts, the French newspaper wrote, the problem arose largely due to the prices set by the state, which have effectively made sales on the domestic market unprofitable.
The discontent reached the point of forcing Lukashenko to intervene publicly, even pointing the finger at the export of large quantities to Russia. And yesterday the Russian agency Interfax reported Minsk’s decision to revoke a ban, in force for years, on imports of fruit, vegetables and tubers from the EU.
