The impact of western sanctions on the development of the Agro-Industrial Complex in southern Russia in the 2020s

this article presents a comprehensive analysis of the adaptation processes in the agro-industrial complex of key agricultural regions of Russia under the sanctions imposed during 2020-2024. The study covers ten strategically important regions, with special emphasis on the Rostov Region as a leading agricultural area. Technological, organizational, and institutional innovations are examined as responses to external challenges. The methodological approach is based on systems analysis using an interdisciplinary toolkit combining economic geography, regional economics, and innovation theory. A set of complementary methods was employed: comparative-geographical analysis, statistical analysis, content analysis of regulatory documents, structural-functional, and typological analysis. Regional characteristics of adaptation strategies in the agro-industrial complex were identified, and the effectiveness of state support measures for the sector was assessed. The study demonstrates that sanctions pressure stimulated import substitution processes and the search for innovative solutions based on domestic developments. This research contributes to understanding the mechanisms of regional agro-industrial systems’ adaptation to external shocks and can serve as a basis for developing differentiated development strategies for the agro-industrial complex across various types of regions.

agro-industrial complex, sanctions restrictions, adaptation strategies, regional development, import substitution, Rostov Region, technological innovations, state support of agro-industrial complex, food security, agricultural regions of Russia, export potential, agro-industrial clusters, digitalization of agriculture, investment in agro-industrial complex, organizational innovations