THE INFRASTRUCTURAL FACTOR OF FOOD TRADE IN THE ENVIRONMENTALLY DETERMINED SEGMENT OF THE RUSSIAN AGRICULTURAL MARKET

Issue № 6, 2026, article № 14, pages 158-174

Section:

Language: Russian

Original language title: ИНФРАСТРУКТУРНЫЙ ФАКТОР ТОРГОВЛИ ПРОДОВОЛЬСТВЕННЫМИ ПРОДУКТАМИ В ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИ ОРИЕНТИРОВАННОМ СЕГМЕНТЕ АГРАРНОГО РЫНКА РОССИИ

Keywords: AGRICULTURAL MARKET, STATE REGULATION AND SUPPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE, MARKETING CHANNELS, LOGISTICS, HEALTH &, WELLNESS FOOD (H&, WF), ORGANIC PRODUCTS, WHOLESALE, RETAIL TRADE(SALE), PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION, DIGITALIZATION, ENVIRONMENTALLY DETERMINED SEGMENT, ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE, E-COMMERCE

Abstract: The relevance of this study is justified by the rapid development of the environmentally oriented segment of the Russian agricultural market, which possesses significant potential to generate favorable multiplier effects, including improving public health, stimulating economic growth, ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, and expanding domestic and international trade in agro-food products. Analysis shows that consumption of organic products and other goods associated with healthy and safe nutrition is demonstrating accelerated growth rates compared to global indicators. However, Russia significantly lags behind the global average in terms of per capita consumption. One of the key barriers hindering the expansion of this market segment is infrastructural factors. At the same time, scientific research in this area is complicated by the almost complete lack of open and reliable statistical information on infrastructure and key market indicators, especially in the segment of natural, functional, and other healthy (safe) food products. This study examines the main infrastructural problems and explores ways to overcome them, using the example of wholesale and retail trade of organic products in the Russian domestic market. Methods of system analysis identified key infrastructural constraints in these segments of the market. In the wholesale sector, these include insufficient territorial development, unsatisfactory technical condition of logistical mechanisms, weak adoption of innovative solutions, and the absence of a unified digital platform for tracking the quality of organic products and a specialized electronic exchange system. In retail trade, issues such as a lack of effective marketing relationships with suppliers and consumers, as well as difficulties faced by small and medium-sized businesses in accessing distribution channels for organic products, were identified. The main conclusion of the study emphasizes the need to accelerate the digitalization of the entire organic product supply chain, including the adaptation of the «Mercury» system for quality control and the implementation of a hybrid electronic exchange model that combines the advantages of existing platforms with specialized solutions tailored to this industry. Key institutional measures include establishing a Center for the Development of the Environmentally Oriented Segment of the Agricultural Market under the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, developing a long-term Infrastructure Development Strategy for wholesale and retail trade of organic products, and implementing comprehensive training programs for specialized personnel with an emphasis on modules of digital logistics and organic product certification.

Authors: Taran Vasilii Viktorovich, Gasanova Khatimat Nabievna