Исследование проблем формирования региональной потребительской корзины

Abstract

The article touches upon the problem of forming the consumer goods basket, which is an important social factor determining the living cost of the population. Analysis of the methods of calculating the consumer goods basket in the Russian Federation and in the Astrakhan region has shown that food products make up 50% of it, which is 2.5 times higher than their share in consumer goods baskets of economically developed countries. In terms of the variety of products and services, the consumer goods basket in Russia is a clear outsider: it contains 156 items against 
 350 - 475 items in Western Europe and the United States. It can be considered a consumer goods basket of the poor, because it only provides an opportunity to survive in conditions of austerity. The comparative analysis of food products included in the basket of the Astrakhan region and recommended by the Ministry of health of the Russian Federation revealed significant deviations from the rational consumption standards. Their observance will increase the living cost of different categories of population in the region from 4.5% to 20% and require an increase in regional budget expenditures for providing social support measures by 15%. It has been inferred that the dual role 
 of the food basket in the economy is explained by two opposite goals: social and budgetary. The goals of social development dictate the establishment of the volume of food consumption in accordance with scientific recommendations. The goals of budget savings lead to underestimation 
 of the basket cost due to using a limited number of cheap products and an incomplete list of goods and services for normal human life. It is necessary to review the composition of the consumer goods basket in favor of a healthier and more useful set of products, expanding the range of non-food items and the list of services. The expansion of the consumer basket can become an effective factor in the growth of consumption volumes, the growth of business income, taxes and the state budget, reach the higher living standards in accordance with the requirements of the social market economy