Purpose. The aim of the article is to generalize the trends in the development of agro-industrial production and to substantiate the strategic imperatives of the implementation of the European green course policy by economic subjects of the agrarian sphere. Methodology of research. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is: system analysis to assess the state and identify the endogenous potential for the development of agro-industrial production on the basis of the green course; structural analysis – for identification of institutional and evolutionary limitations of innovative modernization of agricultural production and activation of innovative activity of agricultural enterprises; evolutionary approach – for summarizing the trends of global development and prospects for the formation of a green economy. Findings. It was emphasized that during the times of favourable price conditions, agricultural producers failed to change the trend of development, and the desire to expand the export potential was manifested in its raw material focus. It was established that, considering the structure of crop rotations and the structure of marketable products directed to the global market, the export agro-food specialization of agriculture is raw and narrow-ranged. It is argued that the involvement of agricultural enterprises in the implementation of the principles of the green course will contribute to: reducing environmental and climatic negative manifestations; sustainability of the national food system and agro-industrial production; standardization and unification of sustainability indicators of agro-food products; implementation of the requirements of the green course into domestic agricultural policy and practice; implementation of structural changes in agro-industrial production; introduction of new approaches to financing state programs and supporting farmers from the standpoint of compliance with environmental requirements. Originality. It is substantiated that the post-war recovery of the agrarian sphere and its further development cannot be based on the outdated structure and raw material orientation of export. Modernization changes and a new strategy for the development of agro-industrial production require taking into account exogenous and endogenous factors that oppose progressive changes and the existing bifurcation state of the agrarian sphere, taking into account the limitations and effective institutional influences, forms prospects for the recovery and development of the industry in a qualitatively different state. It was emphasized that in order to implement the principles of the European Green Course, it is important to adapt the trends of global agro-food specialization according to such components as: diversification of agricultural products; growth of the share of products with higher added value; integration into production processes with advanced processing; involvement in closed production cycles; expansion of biofuel production. Practical value. The theoretical and methodological provisions of the study generalize and deepen the conceptual and practical aspects of the implementation of the European green course policy. Key words: agro-industrial production, agro-innovation, green course, green economy, agricultural enterprises, strategy, innovative development, modernization, transformation.