Surprise emerges as Putin encounters Oreshkin's observations on Belarusian potato predicaments
In a meeting with business representatives, Russian President Vladimir Putin was taken aback by comments from Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, about a possible potato shortage in Belarus. The interaction was broadcast on the Kremlin's official Telegram channel.
The conversation focused on the need to maintain stability within the potato, sugar beet, and other vegetable industries. During the discussion, Putin expressed his thoughts on importing potatoes from Belarus, stating, "It's good to have our own provisions," in response to Oreshkin's remark about the shortage in Belarus.
Oreshkin responded that the potatoes appeared to have run out, to which Putin asked, "What do you mean 'it's all gone'?" In the same conversation, Oleg Paroyev, general director of the restaurant chain "Vkusno - i Tochka," informed Putin about plans to construct a factory for producing French fries in partnership with Miratorg.
In a separate context, Putin expressed his readiness to assist "Vkusno - i Tochka" should McDonald's return to the Russian market.
In Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko has acknowledged the potato shortage, ordering an investigation into the situation and instructing efforts to improve potato storage facilities to prevent future shortages. Prices for potatoes have risen by 10% between January and March, and often, the available potatoes are of poor quality. The shortage is largely due to state-imposed prices making domestic sales unprofitable, causing farmers to opt for exportation to countries with higher prices.
While there is no specific mention of a direct discussion between Putin and Oreshkin regarding the potato shortage in Belarus, Putin did acknowledge Russia's potato shortage and noted that Belarus had already sold a significant amount of potatoes to Russia. Lukashenko and Putin have discussed the issue in the context of regional shortages and Belarus's role in supplying potatoes to Russia.
- Despite the focus on maintaining stability within the food-and-drink industries, discussions also touched upon the current potato shortage in Belarus, as well as Russia's own potential shortage.
- Maxim Oreshkin did not only discuss the potato shortage in Belarus, but also mentioned the need for improvements in potato storage facilities to prevent future shortages.
- The conversation between Putin and Oleg Paroyev moved from the potato crisis to business opportunities, notably plans to construct a French fries factory in partnership with Miratorg by "Vkusno - i Tochka."
- Aside from the potato issues, there have been politically charged talks between Putin and Lukashenko on the regional suppliance of potatoes, reflecting the intersection of finance, politics, and war-and-conflicts in their broader perspectives.
