Russia’s agricultural sector: import substitution and WTO membership

Abstract

The article considers the issues of Russian agricultural sector development in the context of WTO membership and Western sanctions against Russia. As a result, instead of increasing food imports, Russia focused on promoting import substitution and made significant progress due to the implementation of state import substitution programs and rather quick adjustment of the sector to the requirements of the WTO. Despite the fact that the sanctions against Russia de facto go beyond the jurisdiction of the WTO, Russia did not neglect its obligations under the WTO. On the contrary, Russia has become an active supporter of maintaining the role of the WTO as the key link in the international trading system.