In the Russian Federation, export prices of milling wheat in October averaged about 2 percent higher than a month earlier, in line with trends of other origins, at levels slightly above those of October 2021. Uncertainties over the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the projected reduction of the area planted with 2023 winter wheat crops in the country due to heavy rains in key producing regions, provided upward pressure on prices. However, bumper 2022 national production prospects as well as large domestic availabilities and a slow pace of export activity, limited the increase.

Wholesale prices of milling wheat rose for the third consecutive month in Ukraine in October, in line with seasonal trends, but remained about 25 percent lower than a year earlier. In Kazakhstan, average retail prices of wheat flour also continued to increase seasonally, reaching levels 32 percent above those in October 2021.

In importing countries of the subregion, prices of wheat flour showed mixed trends and remained higher than a year earlier, amid higher production and transportation costs. Prices increased slightly in Georgia in October and in Azerbaijan in September, in line with seasonal trends. In Kyrgyzstan, national average retail prices of wheat flour were stable for the third consecutive month in October. In Tajikistan, wheat flour prices declined slightly or remained stable. Favourable 2022 harvests in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan contributed to the relative stability of prices. Prices of wheat flour in Armenia, Belarus, the Republic of Moldova and Uzbekistan remained virtually unchanged in September.

Retail prices of potatoes, another staple food in the subregion, increased seasonally in October in Georgia, to year-on-year higher levels, and in Kyrgyzstan, although only slightly and remaining lower than a year earlier. Prices also rose in September in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, in line with seasonal trends, and were higher than a year before. In Armenia, prices remained stable at lower levels compared to September 2021. National average prices of potatoes declined in Kazakhstan in October, but remained higher year-on-year, and in Belarus in September to values well below those of a year earlier.