Russia’s Role in the Contemporary International Agri-Food Trade System

Abstract

Circumstances often create opportunity. This book would not have been possible without two developments. The first development has been the remarkable improvement in agricultural production that Russia has experienced since 2004. The increase in production has provided food security, allowed import substitution, and increased food self-sufficiency. A second development is the Russian government’s commitment to extend food policy beyond food security and self-sufficiency and to become a seafood and food exporter. In particular, the emergence of Russia as a major grain exporter is one of the major story lines in the past decade. In 2004, not many people would have predicted that Russia would be a major player in the international agri-food system within a decade.The purpose of this book is to assess contemporary Russia’s role in the international agri-food system, which includes fish and seafood. During the Soviet period, the world was accustomed to Russia as a grain importer. During the 1990s, Russia decreased its grain imports but became the world’s largest poultry importer. Despite Russia’s turn toward protectionism since 2010, Russia has not withdrawn from the international food trade system, but rather has enhanced its international role, and become an active player in the system as both a food importer and exporter.