Russia looks afar to replace drought-hit potato crop

Russians' love of potatoes may be force them to turn to Egypt and even America to replace crop lost to this summer's drought.

The impact of the losses has been made worse by the fact that Russians - among the world's most enthusiastic potato eaters at any time, with annual consumption of 110 kilogrammes a year – had been relying on the vegetable providing cheap nourishment during tricky economic times.

"During the crisis years, the Russian population increased consumption,"the report said, noting that areas sown to potatoes had increased in 2009 and 2010.

Neighbouring Belarus and Ukraine are seen as filling much of the shortfall in supplies.

However, with shipments from these countries combined seen at only 1.5m tonnes, that still leaves huge supplies to be sourced from elsewhere, including Poland, historically an exporter to Russia.

"Expert named Poland and Egypt as possible suppliers… but they are sceptical that it will be easy to find the necessary quantities of potato in these countries without preliminary contracts,"the report said.

The quest may see Russia ramp up imports from the US, which typically account for only about 2m tonne a year of higher-quality potatoes.