Russia's Food Power in the 20th Century

Abstract

At the beginning of the twentieth century, grain was one of the strategically most important commodities, and the Russian Empire was one of its largest producers. However, due to the low productivity of collectivized agriculture and demographic pressures, the Soviet Union's share in world grain exports declined, and, by the 1980s, the Soviet Union had become the world's largest importer of grain. This article assesses the causes and implications of Russia’s dwindling food power under Soviet Rule.