During a televised Cabinet meeting, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko criticized officials for failing to control potato prices, which have surged by 10% in two months. He questioned the lack of sufficient potato production and storage, referencing a storage facility in Alexandria as a model. Lukashenko accused officials of mismanagement and favoring imports over local produce, demanding an investigation by the State Control Committee.
Lukashenko expressed suspicion of corruption, questioning whether foreign suppliers influenced government procurement. He challenged the agricultural sector's reluctance to invest in greenhouse cultivation during winter, citing his own success in growing vegetables under such conditions.
Belarus faces high food inflation, with inflation reaching 5.8% in July compared to the previous year. The Belarusian economy's close ties to Russia exacerbate these issues, as 60% of imports come from Russia and 70% of exports go there. The Belarusian ruble's informal peg to the Russian ruble makes it susceptible to Russian economic fluctuations.
Lukashenko, known for his association with potatoes, emphasized the crop's cultural significance in Belarus, referring to it as the "second bread." He noted public complaints about the quality of Belarusian potatoes compared to imports, questioning why imported potatoes are perceived as superior.
Source: Intellinews