AREAS OF CONCERN AND STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR FOOD AND PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN OREL OBLAST
The current statuse and trends in the development of the food and processing industry of Orel Oblast are analyzed. It has been revealed that the total number of enterprises engaged in the processing of agricultural raw materials and the production of food products tends to decrease, and the indices of food and beverage production indicate positive dynamics of development. The leading branches of the food and processing industry have been identified: the production of cattle meat, pork, poultry, sausage products, meat semi-finished products, beet sugar, cereals, etc. At the same time, the production of milk (except raw), fermented milk products (including sour cream), cottage cheese, as well as canned fruits and vegetables is characterized by significant rates of decline, and food security has not yet been achieved for milk and dairy products, vegetables and melons in the whole country. The renewal of fixed assets for all types of economic activity is carried out by attracting investments, the volume of which in 2020 exceeded the values of 2018 by 14.2%. It should be noted that the volume of investments in food production has increased by 2.8 times, but the profitability of their production does not exceed 14% due to high costs. The main directions of formation of strategic development of the food and processing industry of Orel Oblast are revealed. Based on the results of the SWOT analysis, the expediency and prospects of forming a regional cluster in the food and processing industry are shown. Strategic directions for the implementation of innovations, advanced technologies based on digitalization, modernization of technological processes, energy equipment that meet modern requirements for energy efficiency and ecology, aimed at increasing production efficiency and competitiveness of agricultural producers, are proposed. It is noted that for the sustainable development of organizations of the food and processing industry, it is necessary to strengthen measures of State support for the industry.