The global economy and vegetable growing in Russia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (results of 2020 and prospects for recovery

The article examines the results of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and the economy of the Russian Federation at the end of 2020. The quarantine measures introduced by the countries continue to negatively affect the economic situation in the world and the economies of individual countries. There is an acute shortage of seasonal workers in the agricultural sector of the countries of the world. The introduction of restrictions on the export of goods reduced the volume of imports. In Russia, the growth rate of imports from non-CIS countries has decreased. In January 2021, compared to January 2020, imports for food products and raw materials for their production decreased by 4.2%, and for vegetables – by 11.5%. According to the Federal Customs Service, the export of vegetables increased 3 times in terms of physical volumes and only 11% in terms of value. The growth in the physical volumes of export of products of the agro-industrial complex of the Russian Federation did not lead to a corresponding increase in revenue. The prices for vegetables imported into the country were 2.5-3.4 times higher than the prices for exported ones. Despite some difficulties, losses in this area due to the pandemic were minimal. The gross harvest of vegetables in the country as a whole amounted to 13.8 million tons, which is 1.7% below the level of 2019. At the same time, the gross harvest of vegetables in open ground decreased by 3.1%, vegetables in protected ground increased by 6.6%. Difficulties encountered in implementation. During the crisis period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for vegetables fell by 30%. Consumers, in an effort to improve their immunity, began to buy more environmentally friendly and healthy products, including vegetables. The demand for organic products has grown by 15-20%. To accelerate the economic recovery, it was necessary to take additional measures on the part of states to support producers and consumers, restore purchasing power and help businesses, expand access to credit resources, stimulate investment activity, and reduce the tax burden on businesses and the population. In Russia, financial support for the main measures of state policy in the field of the agro-industrial complex is carried out within the framework of the implementation of the State Program for the Development of Agriculture and the regulation of markets for agricultural products, raw materials and food.