Introduction. Statistical studies of Russian agricultural industry, the assessment of the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on its development in the context of economic sanctions and orientation to import substitution are of particular relevance. Today, agriculture is strategic for the Russian Federation, and the problems that can be identified by scientists in the process of scientific research require close attention and reaction from the government. Purpose. The purpose of this work is to study the state of the agricultural sector of the Russian Federation, to determine the positive and negative development trends, as well as the main strategic directions of development of the agricultural sector of the economy. Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, we used official statistics from the Department of the Federal Statistics Service, data from the Federal State Statistics Service Department for the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and data from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. The following methods were used in the study: statistical analysis, empirical research (comparison, observation, measurement), general logical methods (analysis, induction, deduction), analytical methods (graphical, etc.). Results, discussion. The article contains a modern diagnostics of the agricultural sector of the Russian Federation, including in the context of the Southern Federal District, the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. It is revealed that the industry has a number of significant problems that need to be addressed, both at the state and at the regional level. Conclusion. The research results allow them to be used to analyze the efficiency of the agricultural sector both in Russia as a whole and, in particular, in the regions. It is also possible to use data for strategic planning and development of agricultural sector development programs.