The article compares the characteristics of early-ripening potato varieties recommended for the processing in the Republic of Mari El. Potato is among the most important crops. In the world of crop production it takes one of the first places along with rice, wheat, and corn. Potato tubers contain about 25 % of solids, including 14 to 22 % of starch, 1,4 to 3 % of protein, about 1 % of fiber, 0,2 to 0,3 % of fat, and 0,8 to 1 % of ash, as well as vitamins. In order to receive high yields of potato at the early stages the correct selection of varieties is of great importance. Early potato in our region has a great food value and is of high demand among the population. Due to the high selling price in summer the production of early potato allows gaining relatively higher profit per area unit. It should be noted that early potato is a valuable product as it contains 2–3 times more vitamins than ordinary potato. Among the early-ripening potato varieties which were examined for their yield and quality parameters we can distinguish the variety Udacha (Luck). Its yield capacity was 19,0 t/ha which is 4,8 t/ha more compared to the variety Zhukovsky Ranniy (Early Zhukovsky) and 1,7 t/ha more compared to the variety Bellarosa. The analysis of tubers of early potato varieties showed that they contain 14,5 to 16,8 % of starch. The biggest quantity of the starch was found in the tubers of Udacha potato variety (16,8 %).