Religiously conditioned consumption of food in Russia: transformational shifts in the early 21st century

The article is aimed at identifying changes in the structure of food consumption resulting from the growth of adherents of different religions in the population of post-Soviet Russia and analyzing their impact on the economy in the regional context. The author considers issues related to the religiously conditioned food consumption of Russians after the break-up of the USSR as part of the differentiation of the requirements contained in the religious doctrines of the most common religions in the country and their denominations. The author points high development rates of the kosher and Halal industry which production and consumption went beyond traditional areas of compact settlement of representatives of the corresponding religions (first of all, Islam) and has a considerable niche in the large cities and regions of Russia. The share of fasting population is raised. It makes adjustments to the structure of food consumption and is objectified in periodic fluctuations in demand for lean products. Based on the analysis of empirical data, has not been involved in previous scientific research, the author makes conclusions about the restructuring of consumption of lean products by the adherents of Orthodoxy with the help of its rise in price, expansion of the range and geography of supplies. The article notes the importance of taking into account the planned shifts in religiously conditioned food consumption in the creation of food baskets of the subjects of the Russian Federation. In general, consumer behavior as a result of practice a religion in the field of food consumption creates a separate segment of the demand market. This should be taken into account by regional authorities and producers in order to be effective in business.