The objective need and trend of ensuring the food security in Russia in conditions of import substitution

RSAU – MTAA named after K.A. Timiryazev, 127550 49 Timiryazevskaya St., Moscow, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: mrafailr@yandex.ru

Abstract

The article describes in detail two key elements of Russian food security: self-sufficiency and the potential of the domestic food market. It is these two factors that are regulated at the state level through the standards included in their composition. The article shows how the state policy of the Russian Federation for the regulation of food markets changed from the reform period to the present. Our studies have shown that the strengthening of measures for import substitution after 2014 has not yet allowed us to achieve complete self-sufficiency in all types of food. This is partly due to objective restrictions (for vegetables and fruits) and insufficient efforts to develop the industry (dairy and meat cattle breeding). In addition, by those types of food, according to which the thresholds of self-sufficiency are made, the dependence on imports is shifted to the area of industries that provide means of production (seeds, technique, etc.). A detailed analysis of food imports showed that after 2014 its volume decreased (as a result of a reduction in the effective demand and growth in agricultural production), while its commodity structure has practically changed. Analysis of the capacity and structure of the food market of the Russian Federation showed that the Russian population in long-term dynamics due to low income is not balanced. In addition, the reduction of disposable income over the past 6 years leads to a change in the structure of consumption towards an increase in the share of cheap poor-quality products. Thus, the issue of ensuring food security remains relevant and paramountable at the state level.