Situation in the russian market of fruit in the context of import substitution

Issue № 7, 2019, article № 7, pages 62-76

Language: Russian

Original language title: СИТУАЦИЯ НА РОССИЙСКОМ РЫНКЕ ФРУКТОВ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ИМПОРТОЗАМЕЩЕНИЯ

Keywords: FOOD MARKET, IMPORT SUBSTITUTION, FRUITS AND BERRIES, APPLES AND PEARS, FRUIT CONSUMPTION, HORTICULTURE, FOREIGN TRADE POLICY

Abstract: Comparison of official statistics with the parameters of the state of the consumer fruit market indicates a significant overstatement of data on gross domestic fruit production. Russian stat data show the growth of domestic production of fruits and berries, but the actual prevalence of foreign production in the market raises doubts about the success of domestic gardeners. On closer examination, it turns out that this growth is due to an increase in the area of perennial plantations and the yield of fruits and berries in the households of the population. Import dependence is therefore not declared 58 ‰, but much higher. Taking into account the virtual fruits and berries of domestic production, the average per capita consumption is significantly lower than the declared 73 kg/person. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health recommends increasing the annual consumption of fresh fruits to 100 kg/person, including 50 kg of fresh apples. An important factor in the consumer market of fruits and berries is the low purchasing power of the population – not everyone can afford to buy fresh berries and fruits. As a result, domestic products do not compete with imported ones, and our horticultural organizations have their niche only in the low price category. For a radical change in the situation in the market of fruits and berries, the author believes, it is necessary to change the foreign trade policy: exit from the WTO, increase import customs duties on potentially substituted fresh fruits and semi-finished products. These measures are necessary to encourage domestic competition and improve the effectiveness of state support measures implemented under the national agricultural development project.

Authors: Belova Tatiana Nikolaevna