On September 27, Minsk / Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA /. The demand for Belarusian potatoes in the Russian market will steadily grow. This opinion was expressed to BELTA correspondent by Valery Belsky, Director of the Institute of Systemic Research in the Agro-Industrial Complex of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. According to Belarusian scientists, the potato deficit currently experienced by Russian regions is estimated at approximately 4 million tons. This volume will have to be replenished through imports. "The wholesale purchase price for 1 kg of potatoes in Russia averages 13 Russian rubles, and according to forecasts, it will increase in the future," the source believes. "In this regard, the demand for Belarusian potatoes will continue to grow. This 'window' to the Russian market will be open for us not only this year but also next year." Valery Belsky noted that domestic exporters are maximizing their export potential to increase potato supplies to Russia. "Some large agricultural enterprises plan to export 10-15 thousand tons of this product this year," he informed. In general, Belarusian agrarians estimate the export potential of potatoes to Russia at more than 100 thousand tons. One of the largest consumers of this product is expected to be Tatarstan. In the first stage, it is planned to supply 40 thousand tons of potatoes from our country to this Russian region. It is expected that this figure will increase in the future. Belarusian potatoes are also in demand in other Russian regions and cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. In order to compensate for potato losses incurred by Russia due to the drought this summer, the subcommittee of the Russian government on customs and tariff regulation decided to temporarily abolish duties on the import of potatoes, cabbage, and buckwheat. This measure has been agreed upon with Belarusian specialists within the framework of the Customs Union. Since the beginning of the year, buckwheat in Russia has increased in price by approximately two times, cabbage by 77%, and potatoes by 65%. The zero duties will be in effect for at least six months and will lead to an increase in supplies from abroad. At the same time, as reported to BELTA correspondent by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the abolition of duties on potatoes will not create any additional advantages for Belarusian suppliers. "This measure is beneficial for the Russian side, it will not affect us. We will sell potatoes on the same terms as we did before," the specialists concluded. -0-