"Everything was sold to Russia". Belarus allows imports of potatoes from the EU amid shortage

The Belarusian government has lifted restrictions on the import of a number of agricultural goods, including potatoes, from European Union member states, the country's government press service reported.

According to the resolution, starting May 27, Belarus allows the import of potatoes, apples, onions, and cabbage from the territory of "unfriendly countries."

The Belarusian government said in a statement that the decision was a "response" to the European Union's recent increase in trade duties on agricultural products from Belarus.

At the same time, the country's government emphasized that in this way Belarus demonstrates "openness, peace-lovingness and the principle of good neighborliness", similar to the decision on visa-free entry for citizens of EU member states.

At the same time, as The Moscow Times writes, the lifting of the ban on the import of certain goods took place against the backdrop of a food crisis and an acute shortage of potatoes in Belarus.

In early May, Lukashenko acknowledged the disappearance of the product from store shelves. He blamed what happened on local farmers, who, he claimed, had switched to exporting to Russia, where the price of potatoes is much higher.

Back in February, Lukashenko instructed the government to deal with rising potato prices, and earlier, he demanded the formation of food reserves, but this task was never completed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also reported on the potato shortage. He noted that the country is experiencing a shortage of the product caused by a decrease in yield, which has led to a record increase in prices.

"It turns out that we don't have enough potatoes. I spoke with Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko – he says: 'We have already sold everything to Russia,'" Putin said.

• Since 2022, Belarus has introduced state regulation of potato prices.