Importance The article presents the results of research of the dependence of the Russian Federation on imports of agricultural products. The relevance of the research results from the fact that at the present stage of socio-economic development, import substitution is a major strategic task of the agro-industrial complex of the country. An import substitution policy stimulates the development of the domestic agricultural production; helps streamline the import of food products. The implementation of the strategy of import substitution makes the State use various forms and methods of stimulating domestic agriculture and strengthening the industry competitiveness in the internal market. Objectives The purpose of the study is to evaluate the dependence of the Russian Federation on the imports of food and agricultural raw materials, as well as to support the main methods and forms of State stimulation of import substitution in the agrarian sector of the Russian economy. Methods To analyze the import dependence of the country by main types of agricultural products and foodstuffs and the dynamics of volume of food imports, the authors used statistical data. Results The authors calculated the necessary volume of production of agricultural products with a view to ensuring food independence of the country. In order to achieve food independence, the authors propose basic ways of encouraging import substitution in the agro-industrial complex of Russia, including customs and tariff regulation, lending, direct budget support, regulation of mortgage operations, procurement and commodity interventions, tax and price regulation. Conclusions and Relevance The authors conclude that the increase in food imports threatens the food security of the country. The implementation of the policy of import substitution in agriculture is essential to the recovery of lost food independence of Russia. The enhancement of the competitiveness of domestic agricultural products based on innovation and the use of resource-saving technologies will make the task of import substitution quite possible.
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