CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE RICE MARKET IN RUSSIA
Analysis of rice market in the country was conducted, as well as assortment of rice products was studied. It is shown that rice is the most popular grain in Russian Federation and in percentage of cereal products in shops they occupy 29% and in diet of Russian people - 41%. It is found that in Russia round grain japonica varieties are the most popular kind. It is mentioned that for the last years consumer market demands diversity of rice products, including long-grain and exclusive varieties, imported from abroad. It is shown that in big cities demand for such products has increased from 5% to 15%. Analysis of milled rice balance was conducted. It is found that volume of milled rice in the domestic market of the country is annually about 680-800 thousand tons exceeding the average demand value by 54,8 to 172,3 thousand tons. Promising breeding directions are observed for increasing assortment of rice products in Russian markets with a view to import substitution. It is mentione that Russian breeders have developed group of exclusive varieties: Rubin, Mars, Viola, Violetta, Avstral, Ivushka, Natasha, Aromir etc. It is shown that special purpose varieties currently occupy 3,5% of rice acreage in the Krasnodar region and their cost is by 20-70% higher than that of traditional rice varieties. It was found that for their implementation into production and promotion on the consumer market we need to develop agricultural techniques of cultivation and seed production scheme in accordance with the biological characteristics, conduct marketing activities, promotion of a healthy diet