The article highlights the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Russia's agricultural sector, revealing previously hidden issues such as dependence on Western supplies and the volatility of production costs. Despite the country's self-sufficiency in food production and its leading position in wheat exports, Russia remains reliant on imported seeds, equipment, and additives for its farms. The falling ruble and the inability of labor migrants to work during the pandemic have further increased costs. These factors, combined with the use of Western equipment and imported ingredients in animal feed, have led to rising prices for meat, pork, beef, and milk. These prices are set months in advance and cannot be easily controlled, despite efforts to regulate them. The article questions the strategy of import substitution and calls for deep reforms in the agricultural sector.