Russia's vegetable boom sends prices tumbling as greenhouses expand

Russia's vegetable market is witnessing significant shifts as production reaches record levels and prices decline. Wholesale costs for cucumbers and tomatoes have dropped sharply, with new greenhouse projects promising even greater output in the coming years. The government is supporting this growth with billions in funding and revived support schemes for farmers.

Wholesale prices for key vegetables have plummeted in recent weeks. Cucumbers now cost 143.3 rubles per kilogram, down 5.7%. Tomatoes have seen an even steeper decline, falling 17% to 144.3 rubles per kilogram. At retail, tomato prices dipped by 2.1%, while cucumber prices remained unchanged.

The price drop follows a record harvest in 2025, with over 7.6 million tons of vegetables produced. This surge was largely driven by the greenhouse sector, where more than 340 farms are now operating nationwide. By 2027, over 30 additional greenhouse projects are expected to launch, pushing combined annual output beyond 157,000 tons. To support this expansion, the Ministry of Agriculture has reintroduced a subsidised lending program for greenhouse construction. Funding of 3.5 billion rubles has been earmarked for 2026. Subsidies will cover production units, planted areas, and upgrades to storage facilities. These measures aim to strengthen Russia's self-sufficiency, which reached 89.6% for open-field and greenhouse vegetables in 2025.

The combination of falling prices, rising production, and government backing indicates a rapidly growing vegetable sector. With new greenhouses set to boost output further, Russia's reliance on imports is likely to decrease. The 2026 funding and ongoing subsidies will help farmers expand capacity and modernise infrastructure.