The Talachyn Canning Plant in Belarus’s Vitebsk Region is constructing the country’s largest potato storage facility, with a capacity of 20,000 tonnes. The project marks the first national deployment of ethylene-based gas storage technology, using a natural growth inhibitor to suppress sprouting. This approach enables the preservation of raw material intended for processing — particularly for French fry production — until spring without quality loss, addressing a long-standing weakness in Belarus’s potato value chain where storage capacity has lagged behind achievements in breeding and agronomy.
The facility reflects a broader strategic shift toward extending the shelf life of processing-grade potatoes and reducing dependence on imports of finished products such as frozen fries. By maintaining consistent tuber quality over an extended storage period, the plant can stabilize its supply of raw material and avoid the seasonal price fluctuations and losses associated with conventional storage. The project also aligns with state-supported efforts to modernize potato infrastructure, positioning gas storage as a key technology for strengthening Belarus’s processing sector and improving its competitiveness in both domestic and regional markets.
