The paper considers the issue of the influence of external factors on the condition of food markets in the borderland. It is shown that the key components of such analysis should be the assessment of the border regime and its oscillations; dynamics of the balance of import and export of food products; dynamics of cross-border gradients in the pricing policy of food sellers; comparing the intensity of state intervention, the size of the competitive potential of the industry and the success of import substitution. In addition, analysis of the location, volume and quality of trade infrastructure in the settlements closest to the border should be carried out, as well as an assessment of the various factors that shape the consumer behavior of the borderland population.