Vegetable production in Ukraine in conditions of economic instability: forecast and future prospects

Abstract

Agro-industrial complex of Ukraine is one of the few sectors of the economy, which, despite significant problems of financial development of the state in war conditions, demonstrates relative stability of functioning. According to food traditions and the availability of fertile land in Ukraine, the sphere of vegetable farming is developed, it occupies about 20% of the total volume of agricultural production in Ukraine. The beginning of a full-scale war in Ukraine creates challenges for vegetable producers and requires them to intensify efforts to preserve production capacity and use the potential for development even in difficult conditions of economic instability. Based on the analysis of statistical data, the paper proves that in the pre-war period agriculture in Ukraine was actively developing, and Ukrainian vegetable producers have formed a positive reputation in international markets, as evidenced by the stable growth of export volumes of their products. Nevertheless, analysis of the financial indicators of key Ukrainian producers of vegetables indicates a number of problems associated with the formation of profits and the overall efficiency of their activities, so there is an objective need to strengthen the financial position of domestic vegetable producers. In order to specify the opportunities and threats to the development of vegetable producers in Ukraine, SWOT-analysis was used, according to the results of which one can point out that mainly the prospective development of the industry will depend on the dynamics of military conflict, while domestic vegetable producers have a strong financial, technological, human and resource potential.