Food security in the Russian Federation

The article analyzes food security in the Russian Federation. In the international realm, Russia is different from other countries in that it defines security through the prism of national interest. In this regard, Russian leaders have expressed concern over the volume of food imports, the dollar value of imports, and the degree to which the nation lacks self-sufficiency in certain food commodities. In the domestic realm, the evidence about food security is mixed. Food consumption and production have increased since 2000. The paper finds that poverty and food insecurity often go hand in hand. A discussion is presented about which groups in the Russian population are most food insecure. The paper also assesses state policies for their impact on food security.