Methodology of Estimation of Agro-Industrial Capacity and Food Consumption (As in the Case of the Region of North-Western Federal District of the Russian Federation)

The key factor for food self-provisioning is efficient utilization of agricultural capacity. The goal of the paper is development of integral assessment of food consumption level and agro-industrial capacity in a region. This methodology was tested in the regions of North-Western Federal District of the Russian Federation. Suggested methodology helps estimate producing production and consumption of food, and compare regions with similar social and economic environment. Assessment of food consumption involved such food products as meat, milk, eggs, bread, sugar, vegetable oil and medically recommended rates of consumption of basic food products. In accordance with the suggested methodology assessment of agro-industrial capacity comprised such indicators as cultivated land, stock of cattle and pigs, quantity of drilled fertilizers, growth rate of agricultural production and production volumes of livestock breeding per 1 person. Ranking score of the regions was made by comparing actual data with standard object or scientifically proved indicators. Suggested methodology revealed that all regions of North-Western Federal District suffered from stable decrease of production capacity of agricultural sector, but actual food consumption was growing simultaneously. This growth is provided by import of agricultural products from other regions of the Russian Federation and from abroad.