Methodological approaches to studying the complex system of the milk market and rural territories

Abstract

The milk market plays a key role in ensuring the country's food security. Contemporary literature pays considerable attention to studying various aspects of the milk market; however, the interrelationship between this market and the sustainable development of rural territories remains insufficiently explored. The aim of this study is to substantiate a methodological approach to investigating and modeling the complex system of the milk market and rural territories in the Leningrad Region, Russia, and to analyze key indicators over the period 2012–2024 across selected factors. The theoretical and methodological framework of the research is based on scientific works on systems analysis, conceptual foundations of the state and development of the milk market and rural territories, as well as data from Department of the Federal State Statistics Service for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. Factors influencing the development of the milk market and rural territories were identified, and key indicators were analyzed across selected factors. The study employed a systems approach, trend analysis, comparison, and generalization. A five-stage algorithm for investigating the system of the milk market and rural territories is proposed. The first stage involves identifying factors for each element of the interconnected system and indicators characterizing each factor. The second stage entails substantiating the interrelationships among indicators based on their trend analysis. The third stage justifies the need for developing a balance-optimization model. The fourth stage involves substantiating and calculating criteria for the emergent effect of the interconnected system of the milk market and rural development. The fifth stage focuses on selecting a decision-making concept aimed at activating factors that enhance the emergent effect. The obtained results indicate heterogeneous processes occurring within the system of the milk market and rural territories. This necessitates modeling its development based on constructing a balance-optimization model and forming an optimal set of management interventions to achieve target values of indicators reflecting the emergent effect of the system's functioning as a whole.

To cite: Blinova Yu.Yu. Methodological approaches to studying the complex system of the milk market and rural territories. Research in Economic and Financial Problems. 2026;1:3. https://doi.org/10.31279/2782-6414-2026-1-4