EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF UKRAINE'S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AS A FACTOR OF EU ECONOMIC SECURITY

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive substantiation of the role of European integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector as a key factor in ensuring Europe’s economic security. The positive impact of the European integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector on Europe’s food and economic security is identified. The main factors of this positive impact include Europe’s food security, economic security, price stability of markets, institutional integration, logistical integration, the geopolitical factor, and the competitive environment. The essence of this impact, as well as its positive effects and potential challenges, are characterized. The essence of the impact lies in ensuring stable supplies of agricultural products, expanding trade and economic relations between Ukraine and the EU, influencing price formation through Ukrainian exports, harmonizing standards in accordance with the requirements of the European Commission, developing transport and trade corridors, addressing the impact of crisis events particularly the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by russia and fostering interaction between Ukrainian and European producers. The positive effects include diversification of food supply sources, increased economic stability, containment of food price inflation, improved product quality, enhanced supply efficiency, consolidation of European markets, and increased production efficiency. It is established that Ukraine’s agricultural sector serves as an important source of stable food supply, contributes to market diversification, and reduces price volatility.Potential challenges include dependence on imports, unequal distribution of benefits, price volatility in the event of export disruptions, high adaptation costs, infrastructural constraints, pressure on EU farmers, and socio-economic imbalances. It is also found that a significant problem remains infrastructural limitations, particularly the insufficient development of logistics systems, storage capacities, and transport corridors. The main directions are identified, the implementation of which will not only ensure effective integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector into the European economic space but also highlight the special role of developing scientific and technical cooperation, exchanging experience, and implementing joint educational programs.