[A statistical analysis of the Russian agrifood sector profile]

The structural changes in Russian agriculture in the context of the 1990-2004 agrarian transformation are outlined. The collective and state farms privatization resulted in the emergence of more than 260.000 peasant and private farms, appr. 16 mln. individual subsidiary farms; 64% (126 mln. ha) of agricultural land had been in private ownership by 2004. Yet, this transformation wasn"t provided with un adequate state support. That resulted in the decrease of agriculture share in the domestic output from 6.6 down to 4.5% in 1990-2003, thereby the animal production share in the total agricultural output declined to 46% in 2004, i.e. by 7,2% vs. 1990. By the way, the cattle population reduced by 56%, pigs – 60%, sheep and goats – 44.3%. The negative trend was observed in crop production as well. The cropland reduced by 30% in 1990-2003 and the grain production decreased down to 78.1 mln. tons (by 17%) in 1992-2004. The share of fixed costs in the total costs of production accounted for 68.6% vs. 58.9% in 1997 due to the higher growth rate of prices for agricultural machines and fuel compared to those for agricultural produce. Unlike agriculture, food industry experienced sustainable growth of output. It became profitable in 1999 and its gross margin was 55.574 bln. roubles. The domestic food producers remained competitive on the Russia"s market due to lower prices of their product. The food enterprises invest farm businesses or integrate with them with an eye on sustainable raw produce supplies. The growth of household income, price disparity decrease in favour of agricultural production and increasing demand for farm raw produce to be processed contribute to agricultural output growth. These factors can be used successfully if the qualification of farm personnel is improved, government support is strengthened, innovations adoption is encouraged and rural infrastructure is improved.