CURRENT TRENDS AND PROSPECTS OF INVESTMENT IN THE SPHERE OF GRAIN PRODUCTION IN UKRAINE

Abstract

It has been established that investments in Ukraine's agricultural sector focus on modernizing technical equipment, developing scientific research, and automating production, which contribute to increasing the industry's efficiency. Furthermore, state support and infrastructure development are key factors stimulating investment growth in the sector, while foreign investments in grain production strengthen the competitiveness of Ukrainian products on international markets. It has been found that there is a clear link between the level of investment and the country's food security, emphasizing the importance of the agricultural sector for economic stability. The research results indicate that strategic investments in grain production are a crucial factor in ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and enhancing Ukraine's food security. It is concluded that the analysis of the volume and structure of investments in the sphere of Ukrainian grain production shows the importance of the agricultural sector for the country's economy, in particular for food security and export potential. During the period from 2015 to 2023, the area of crops and grain yields fluctuated. In particular, the area of crops increased in 2019, reaching 15,318 thousand hectares, while the yield in 2019 was 49.1 centners/hectare. However, the following years were affected by adverse weather conditions, which reduced the yield. In 2023, the area remained stable, and the yield increased to 46.2 centners/hectare. From 2021 to 2023, there is an increase in the interest of foreign investors in the Ukrainian agricultural sector. The volume of foreign investments in these years has increased from 3,000 million US dollars to 5,000 million US dollars, with Europe, Asia and North America becoming the main export markets. This confirms the growth of export opportunities and the development of international cooperation. In general, investments in the agricultural sector, in particular in grain production and logistics, contribute to increasing the productivity and efficiency of the sector, which allows improving Ukraine's competitiveness in the international market.