Trends in the development of external labor migration in agriculture of the Russian Federation

This article examines the problem of the growing dependence of the Russian agricultural sector on attracting foreign labor, due to the reduction in the number of local population in rural areas and the increase in production volumes. The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis and assessment of trends in the use of foreign labor resources in agriculture of the Russian Federation at the regional level. As a methodology, the author uses a statistical analysis of the dynamics of the number of foreign labor migrants in the federal districts of Russia for the period from 2022 to 2024. The methodology for studying migration processes includes the analysis of data from official statistical observation, including data on the entry of foreigners, balances of labor resources in the regions, and surveys carried out within the framework of the labor force survey. The main results of the study show the presence of trends of steady growth in the number of foreign workers in agriculture in Russia, from 151.9 thousand people in 2022 to 244.0 thousand in 2024. A particularly pronounced increase was noted in the Central Federal District, as well as in the Kaliningrad Region and the regions of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts. The trend of uneven distribution of foreign workers with a priority accommodation center in the Central Federal District is also indicated. The greatest employment is observed in low-skilled positions: seasonal field work, work in greenhouses, livestock and fish farms. The results confirm that foreign labor migrants play a significant role in ensuring the stable functioning of the Russian agricultural sector, filling the shortage of labor and contributing to the growth of production.