Global demand for food

The purpose of the article is to consider the current trends of international agricultural trade in terms of major groups, commodity positions and importing countries, as well as research the structure of Ukrainian agricultural export and forecast future global food demand. Research methods. In the research process have been used the following scientific methods: theoretical generalization for studying the theoretical foundations of formation of global demand for food; analysis and synthesis for determination of the largest importing countries and generalization of quantitative indicators of international trade in agrarian raw and ready-made food; comparative assessment for comparing export volumes of certain groups of agricultural products; graphical for visualization of statistical results of the research. Research results. The estimation of general dynamics in world agricultural trade have been given, and the concrete goods, which have the highest demand with the highest export value have been determined. There have been analyzed volumes of agrarian raw and ready-made food products, and the list of countries which form basic demand for food in the global market has been shown. Role of Ukraine in supply of agricultural products for the needs of specific importing countries has been researched. Elements of scientific novelty. The reasons and trends that will affect constant growth of food demand in the medium- and long-term period have been proved. Main indicators of world agricultural import in the period between 2000 and 2017 have been classified according to their importance for human development. Practical significance. The article is aimed at bringing information about current trends of the world food market to domestic producers and exporters of agricultural products for using in their current and future activities. Statistical data demonstrate actual situation in agricultural production and trade. Tabl.: 1. Figs.: 2. Refs.: 10.