Problems and prospects for the development of retail agricultural markets

An important criterion for the balance of the food market as a system of socio-economic relations in the field of the exchange of food products between buyers and sellers is the availability of food prices, a wide range and high quality of food products. The market mechanism is able to provide socially acceptable prices for food products under the condition of a developed competitive environment, in the creation of which an important role belongs to small agribusiness. It has always been quite difficult for small businesses in the agro-food complex to overcome entry barriers to the food market and ensure effective marketing activities. One of the distribution channels for products of small businesses in the agro-industrial complex, along with food fairs, wholesale and retail markets, and a contracting system, are retail agricultural markets in cities. They are able to provide citizens with fresh products at reasonable prices, representing a "neighborhood market", create a unique flavor of the urban landscape, form stable ties between sellers and buyers, becoming the center of attraction for a certain area of the city. However, as analysis over the past twenty years shows, the number of retail agricultural markets and the number of trading places on them tend to decrease. The article analyzes the state of the institutional component of the functioning of retail agricultural markets, formulates proposals for clarifying the provisions of the regulatory framework for their activities. The necessity of expanding state support for specialized agricultural markets is substantiated. Perspective forms of procurement activities in the process of functioning of retail agricultural markets are considered: interaction with logistics centers on the basis of contracting agreements, the creation of joint-stock companies for the organization of marketing and procurement activities, the formation of a network of marketing and purchasing cooperatives.