ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN RUSSIA AND PROSPECTS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT DUE TO MARKET POTENTIAL REALIZATION
The results of the analysis of the current state of the horticultural industry in Russia and the prospects for further development due to market potential realization are presented. The quantitative assessment of the parameters determining the possibilities of expanding the market was carried out on the basis of statistical indicators (data obtained from Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation for the period from 1990 to 2021, Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation for the period from 2014 to 2021, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) by analyzing the dynamics of production and export potential. Modern trends in the development of horticulture are revealed, characterized by certain stabilization of the areas of perennial plantings, an increase in yields and gross output, as well as progressive reduction in imports of products. The assessment of the domestic fruit market made it possible to determine its scale in quantitative terms at the level of 7.7-8.0 million tons and note the absence of positive dynamics and growth trends. This fact in conditions of limited effective demand is considered by the authors as a possible threat to the further development of domestic horticulture, which determines the expediency of expanding market potential through exports. The paper substantiates the expediency of expanding the export of products produced by Russian gardeners, presented the list of markets that are most promising in terms of location, availability and tariff policy in relation to Russian goods. Waste export potential, analyzed by the example of the sale of apples, in total is estimated on the level of $ 11.8 million. A number of such countries as Kazakhstan ($8.6 million), Mongolia ($2.9 million) and some other have the greatest potential for exports from Russia. If it is implemented, the share of the Russian Federation in world exports may double, and the country will rise from 45<sup>th</sup> to 30<sup>th</sup> place in the ranking of apple exporters. In general, the expansion of exports will have a positive impact on the economic results of regional producers and the development of domestic horticulture in general.