Digitalization of Agri-Food Systems as a Factor of Sustainability of the Russian Regional Economy

In the context of geo-economic turbulence, the transformation of logistics routes and increased demands on food security, the importance of the sustainability of regional agro-food systems is increasing. Digitalization of agri-food value chains is considered as one of the factors of increasing transparency and coordination of interaction between market participants, however, its impact on the sustainability parameters of the regional economy requires empirical verification. The relevance of the study is related to the need to quantify the relationship between the level of digitalization of agri-food chains and indicators of the sustainability of regional development in the face of external constraints and price volatility. The aim of the work is to identify and interpret statistical links between the digital integration of chain participants and the economic characteristics of the regions. The methods of inter–regional comparisons, grouping of the subjects of the Russian Federation by quartiles of the level of digitalization (Q1-Q4), correlation and structural analysis based on data from Rosstat and the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia were used. The results show that a higher level of digital integration is associated with a reduction in logistical losses and transaction costs, and also corresponds to a more stable income dynamics for agricultural producers in the regions of the Q4 group compared to Q1. This allows us to consider digitalization as a significant institutional factor in the sustainability of the agro-food system.The findings demonstrate that digital integration of value chain participants reduces logistics losses, transaction costs, and price risks, while increasing income stability of agricultural producers and regional investment attractiveness. The study concludes that digitalization serves as a strategic institutional factor of long-term sustainability in the agri-food system.