Republic

TOLOCHIN DISTRICT, 23 August (BelTA) - Belarus will build a logistics system to export potato to the neighboring countries, Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich told reporters. The government is now considering the logistics issues. “For example, we could build warehouses in Russia and other neighboring countries where we can store potato in autumn, and then sell it during the off season," said the prime minister. According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, Belarusian farmers need to review their approaches to the supply of potato to other countries. "We need to learn how to sell potatoes. To sell it in bulk, as we used to do it before, means losses for us,” he said. The head of government added that focus should be made on merchantability and deep processing of the vegetable. "If we increase industrial processing of the vegetable, then the need for storage facilities will not be that pressing,” he said. The Premier stressed that the main thing today is not about the harvest numbers but about storage. “The demand for this crop will continue increasing,” Mikhail Myasnikovich is confident. In his words, the area under potato has been expanded by 20% this year. “Potato harvest is good this year, and the main goal is to gather it and store,” he said. At the same time some potato production issues remain unsettled. Some projects to construct new potato storages have been protracted. In this respect, the Premier demanded to complete the construction of such facilities within the next month or two. “Both potato seeds and potato for sales should be stocked at the warehouses this year,” he added. Improving storage conditions are of crucial importance. "We need to work towards this goal. We need to make sure potato is stored in good condition until the new harvest. If the storage facilities are good, we could export potato in winter and spring, when the prices are usually higher." The head of government stressed that for farmers to earn some profit, they needs a smart marketing policy, and good potato storage facilities.

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