Price stability in the food market as an element of the economic policy

The current situation of the last few years, associated with the onset of the crisis against the background of the pandemic, and subsequently with the intensification of the sanctions confrontation, is characterized by an acceleration in the rate of inflation in the food market at a level exceeding the overall average annual inflation rate. The restrictions caused by the sanctions, combined with the consequences of the imposed food embargo, led to an increase in prices for a number of products that were most dependent on imports and did not have autonomous production within the country in sufficient volume for self-sufficiency. The study evaluates the dynamics of prices in the Russian food market in the context of the main types of agricultural raw materials and food in the period 2019-2023, examines the prevailing trends and factors of their formation. It has been established that the last few years for the consumer market continue to be accompanied by a dynamic increase in prices for key types of food. At the same time, the rates of price growth are not equivalent, and prices for certain types of agricultural raw materials and products have increased significantly. The reasons for the surge in prices for certain types of food in Russia are the influence of market factors and a change in the balance between supply and demand, as a result of which a reduction in supply due to adverse weather conditions leads to an increase in prices. The current situation in the domestic food market is characterized by a low degree of price stability, which requires increased control and government regulation.