KIROVSK DISTRICT, 28 August (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has warned heads of retail chains that it is unacceptable not to keep quality and affordable domestic potatoes in stock during a meeting to discuss the development of potato farming in Belarus, BelTA has learned.
“I would like to warn heads of retail chains that lack of affordable high-quality domestic potatoes in stores will have dire consequences for all money-grubbers,” the head of state said.
Specialists believe Belarus will manage to harvest one million tonnes of potatoes this year, a one-third increase year-on-year. Together with the output from potatoes grown by individuals, the total yield may reach about 3.5 million tonnes. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this will make it possible not only to fully meet domestic needs but also to export. “The past spring has shown that our potatoes are in high demand on foreign markets. It even escalated to panic buying, with reports of empty shelves in our stores,” he added.
The president reminded that the government had been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent a repeat of the situation. In his words, Belarusians should be able to buy domestic potatoes (as well as onions, carrots and cabbage) at an affordable price all year round.
At the same time, the Belarusian leader emphasized, there is no need to endlessly wash potatoes in order to sell them at a higher price. “Any farmer knows that washed potatoes will not keep for long, they will rot. And as a result, you will simply throw them away. Therefore, approach this matter wisely,” Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed.
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