Shagaida N. I., Ternovsky D. S., Elanskaya A. A., Shishkina E. A. Regional differentiation of food security in Russia // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2026. V.11. №3. P. 88-114.

EDN: QRIFDW

Annotation

The authors applied an integral index to assess regional food security. Unlike conventional methods using multiple self-sufficiency indicators, the proposed integral index consists of five functional blocks, emphasizing economic food accessibility as the core component. The weights of blocks and their respective indicators were validated through expert assessments. The study is based on the official statistical data and microdata from the Federal State Statistics Service’s Household Budget Surveys (20182023): according to the annual dynamics of the integral index, regions were divided into groups. The core of the leading group consists of the North Caucasus republics, southern regions, and Central Black-Earth Region — their position is determined not only by production volumes but also by the development of small-scale farming, which provides population with diverse and affordable food products. On the contrary, the lagging group (Northern and Far Eastern regions) is characterized by risks of physical unavailability and infrastructural isolation. The dynamic analysis of the index revealed a predominantly positive trend, with 42 regions showing an increase of more than 1 point. However, there is also growing regional polarization as the interregional gap between the highest- and lowest-ranking regions increased by 28%. The study identified dietary imbalance as an interregional phenomenon with few exceptions and no direct correlation with the region’s self-sufficiency or income. The authors argue that there is a need for a transition to differentiated territorial support mechanisms that take the unique vulnerability profiles of each region into account.

Keywords

Regional differentiation, food security, integral index, economic accessibility, balanced nutrition, agricultural exports, food system resilience.  

About the authors

Natalia I. Shagaida, DSc (Economics), Head of the Center for Agrifood Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Vernadskogo Prosp., 82, Moscow, 119571, Russia.
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Denis S. Ternovsky, DSc (Economics), Leading Researcher, Center for Agrifood Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Vernadskogo Prosp., 82, Moscow, 119571, Russia.
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Alexandra A. Elanskaya, PhD (Geography), Researcher, Center for Agrifood Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Vernadskogo Prosp., 82, Moscow, 119571, Russia.
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Ekaterina A. Shishkina, Researcher, Center for Agrifood Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Vernadskogo Prosp., 82, Moscow, 119571, Russia. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.