Belarus cracks down with fines on stores running out of potatoes — a national staple
Photo: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (Getty Images)
Stores in Belarus will be fined for not stocking potatoes. President Alexander Lukashenko has banned what he called "joking around" with the product, reports the monitoring platform EastFruit.
"Last year they joked about potatoes — and got slapped by the public," Lukashenko said during a nationwide meeting on the harvest campaign.
His comment referred to social media complaints from Belarusians in spring 2025 about potato shortages.
"A law has been published on the National Internet Portal introducing penalties for the absence of potatoes. Alexander Lukashenko signed it on July 12, 2025. Stores found without potatoes will face fines," the monitoring platform reported.
The law enforces fines ranging from 5 to 200 base units — up to $110 this year, according to the platform.
Earlier, Lukashenko signed a decree allowing retail chains to take out subsidized loans at 3% interest. The measure was designed to pay in advance for potatoes, cabbage, carrots, beets, onions, and apples.
The same document requires suppliers and retailers to ensure these vegetables remain in stock during the off-season.
Kellogg meets with Lukashenko
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg visited Minsk on June 21 and held talks with Lukashenko. The two discussed the full-scale war in Ukraine.
Following the visit, 14 political prisoners were released from Belarusian jails.
Lukashenko also claimed Kellogg promised to work on limiting Ukraine's strikes on Russia. However, the Trump envoy later denied making such a commitment.
