TRENDS OF FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENT OF DAIRY INDUSTRIES OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Introduction. The dairy industry is a strategically important part of Ukraine's industry. Milk, as a staple food, is an integral part of a healthy human diet. Recently, there has been a negative situation in the food sector of the country, in particular in the milk market, which is the result of reduced quality raw materials, high costs of dairy production. However, Ukraine has significant potential to stabilize, gradually develop and increase export flows of industrial production. Methods. In the process of research a number of methods were used: abstract and logical - to formulate conclusions; comparative analysis - to compare indicators and identify trends in their change; tabular - for a visual representation of the results of the study; statistical - in determining the variation in the volume of milk production; calculation and design - to calculate the level of self-sufficiency in milk in the regions of Ukraine; monographic - detailing the current state and problems of the dairy industry of Ukraine. Results. The current state and trends in the functioning of the raw material base of the dairy industry of Ukraine are studied. Retrospective tendencies of consumption of milk and dairy products are determined, the rating of regions of Ukraine on the level of self-sufficiency in milk is established. The state and structural changes in the sphere of production, export and import of dairy products are investigated. Discussion. Further successful development of the dairy industry of Ukraine depends on the unification and consolidation of efforts of the main actors of the dairy market: milk producers, processors, suppliers of machinery and feed for the dairy industry and the state. The combination of state support measures and companies' efforts will make it possible to maintain food security of the country, to provide the population of Ukraine with high-quality dairy products, to reduce imports, to introduce advanced resource-saving technologies. Prospects for further research are the analysis of the dynamics and trends in the development of dairy enterprises and their economic efficiency. Keywords: dairy industry, milk and dairy production, major dairy producers, export and import of dairy products, trends and prospects for the development of the dairy industry.