FEATURES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ASSOCIATIONS AND THE FORMATION OF A MECHANISM AND ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPETITIVENESS OF CROP PRODUCTS

Abstract

At the current stage of development in the agricultural sector of the economy, there is an urgent need for optimization and improvement of management forms, particularly in horticulture. Given the increasing demands of both domestic and global markets on horticultural production, it is essential for agricultural producers not only to increase production volumes but also to significantly enhance the quality, environmental sustainability, and competitiveness of their products. Simultaneously, the processes of integration of agricultural producers and the formation of their associations have not yet received sufficient scientific attention, necessitating a thorough analysis and study of these phenomena.

The aim of the article is to explore the characteristics of organizing agricultural production associations and forming mechanisms for assessing the competitiveness of horticultural products.

The article primarily focuses on the crucial role of horticulture, specifically berry cultivation, in the development of the agricultural sector. The main features influencing the industry, such as natural-climatic conditions, seasonality, and specifics of cultivation, have been identified. Components of planning the production process in agricultural sector associations under current conditions have been examined. The role of Ukrainian regions in fruit and berry production has been determined. The dynamics of the area, yield, and gross harvest of fruits and berries for various types of farms in Ukraine from 2019 to 2022, as well as the dynamics of planting and removal of fruit and berry plantations at agricultural enterprises in Ukraine, have been presented. It has been established that the level of sales of a diverse assortment of fruit and berry products in the domestic market is determined by the biological characteristics of fruit and berry crops of different breeds and varieties cultivated under the distinct climatic conditions of various regions in Ukraine.

Components for forming a mechanism of competitiveness for berry production in current conditions have been proposed. Stages for assessing the competitiveness of agricultural sector associations have been identified. It has been proven that for a comprehensive assessment of the competitiveness of agricultural products, it is critically important to select criteria that reflect the overall economic potential of an agricultural enterprise, as well as evaluate the efficiency of its utilization and the results of both production and commercial activities.