PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL MARKET IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article is devoted to current issues of agricultural market development in Ukraine. Key problems hindering the effective functioning of the agricultural sector are identified, including monopolization of distribution channels by large agro-industrial structures, low competitiveness of small and medium-sized producers, limited access to market information, and lack of adequate infrastructure. It has been shown that the concentration of production in large holdings ensures high productivity and export potential, but reduces food security in the domestic market. The importance of creating an effective market environment and modernizing infrastructure as prerequisites for the sustainable development of agricultural production is emphasized. Particular attention is paid to analyzing the role of small and medium-sized farms, which, despite their limited resources, play a key role in ensuring food security in the domestic market. The expediency of reorienting state support from direct subsidies to the development of institutional conditions that will contribute to the formation of a competitive environment and the efficiency of agricultural production is justified. Priority areas for the development of the agricultural market have been proposed, including infrastructure modernization, strengthening the role of cooperation, and creating conditions for the integration of small and medium-sized farms into a competitive environment. The development of a network of wholesale markets is proposed as a tool for transparent pricing, reducing the number of intermediaries, and ensuring fair market access for all categories of producers. The purpose of the article is to assess the market environment of the agricultural sector and justify the directions of its development. The research methods used are analysis, synthesis, statistical evaluation, and structural-logical generalization. As a result, it was found that the main barriers are unequal access to the market, weak infrastructure, and price discrimination against small producers. The need to reorient state support towards infrastructure development is justified. The practical value lies in the formulation of recommendations for improving state policy to support the agricultural sector. The practical value of the article lies in identifying key areas for reforming Ukraine's agricultural market, which can be used in the process of forming state policy to support agricultural producers, in particular small and medium-sized farms, as well as in developing strategic approaches to modernizing the infrastructure of the agricultural sector.