Food industry of the North Caucasus during the first five-year plans (a case study of Kuban and Stavropol)

Abstract

The article considers the development processes of the food industry of the North Caucasus in the late 1920-ies–1930-ies drawing on the example of Kuban and Stavropol. The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of these processes in a ratio of the segments of this industrial branch, to show its conditions and development problems, as well as the factors of its significance both for the local economic system and the country’s economy. To develop these objectives, based on a system approach, as well as other historical research principles and methods, the peculiarities of the regional character, the development dynamics of the Kuban and Stavropol food industry are analyzed for the first time, and their potentials are compared. The author enlarges upon the economic specifics that was determining the economic priorities in these regions of the country and was revealing in the close interrelation of this industry branch with agriculture in these regions. The article shows the structure of the food industry, peculiarities of production, influencing the development of its traditional branches, such as oil production industry, flour milling, meat, dairy, and others, as well as objective and subjective problems, overcome by the industry enterprises. The conclusions are drawn that in the pre-war period, the development of the food industry had reached a whole new level, which was manifested both in noticeable increase in the volume of output, and in the emergence of new industry branches, namely, food-canning, glass, as well as in the change of the industrial appearance of the fish and wine industries. The article emphasizes the role of some large enterprises, both reconstructed and novel, which actively participated in the fulfillment of the most important production goals of the first five-year plans, as well as strengthening regional economies and ensuring food security of the country.