The potato sector in the Russian changing economy

The transition from a government regulated economy to a free market deeply influenced the Russian potato sector. At the same time the Russian Federation remains one of the largest potato producers in the world after China. More than 10% of the world potato production is planted in Russia. Potato is one of the main foodstuff products in the country. In 2006 the total planted area of potato in Russia was more than 2.9 million hectares and the gross yield was 38.7 million tons. In this paper the authors have represented the information regarding potato production, usage, market quality system improvement, international cooperation and other aspects, connected with potato industry in Russia. To know in detail the actual problems of potato sector in Russia is very important for the development of Russian and in general of the international potato sector.