A shortage of potatoes in Russia shows that Vladimir Putin's economy is "on the brink" as the humble vegetable becomes an unexpected guide to household finances, said The Telegraph.
Spud shortages have "become problematic" in Russia since prices have been "pushed up" by 167% over the past year – the biggest rise of any food – and the implications of this are "making Moscow vulnerable".
Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent sanctions on Russia, "eagle-eyed economists", according to The Telegraph, have watched closely for any "signs of economic damage" as "surging" food prices and labour shortages have baked in inflation, "driving big cracks" in the economy.
There is "sparse reliable data", but this is where the potato comes in. The vegetable has become an "unusual bellwether" of household finances because "if people feel poorer they typically buy more potatoes".
"It turns out that we don't have enough potatoes," said Putin in May. He went on to say that when he approached Belarusian President – and ally – Alexander Lukashenko for help, he was told that Belarus's spud stocks had already "been sold to Russia", said Euractiv. In response, Deputy State Duma Speaker Boris Chernyshov has called for "temporary state regulation of retail potato prices", said The Moscow Times, arguing that "sharp price fluctuations" in "such a socially significant product" can slap a "heavy burden" on the budgets of millions of families.
While spuds might not "capture the economic spotlight" as much as energy or advanced technologies, the "phenomenon" does offer a "key insight" into a "changing world", said The Interpreter. | 
