Main trends in the development of the world food market and food production in Ukraine

The purpose of the article is to investigate the current status of production and world trade following the main types of agricultural products, namely wheat and corn, vegetable oils, sugar, beef, pork, poultry, butter, cheese, whole milk powder, and skim milk powder. The level of Ukraine's participation in world production and world trade of these products has been also studied. Research methods. The study is based on use of the systematic approach in evaluating the situations that have arisen in the world food market in the certain historical period. While forming and analyzing the research materials, we used historical and analytical methods, as well as a comparative method for evaluation of its results. Research results. It has been determined that the leaders of the world trade in aforementioned types of agricultural products are the EU and the US. Significant positions in some segments of the world food market are occupied by Brazil (corn, sugar, beef, pork, and poultry), Argentina (corn grain, vegetable oils) India (wheat and sugar), Ukraine (wheat, corn and vegetable oils), Australia (wheat, sugar, and beef), Canada (vegetable oils and pork), Malaysia (vegetable oils), New Zealand (beef, butter, cheeses, and whole and skimmed milk powder). It has been noted that Ukraine is now only at the initial stage of real entry into the world food market, and in the domestic export of food raw materials or products with a small value added (grain, vegetable oils, sugar, etc.) predominate, and there are no large volumes export of finished food products. At the same time the food export takes place in contradiction with backdrop of a sharp decrease in domestic staple food consumption. This led to a sharp decrease in the basic food reserves, the volumes of which currently have an acceptable minimum for the food security of the Ukrainian population. Therefore, a certain part of the population of Ukraine can feel a lack of food. Elements of scientific novelty. Ukraine currently holds the following positions in the global food market – in terms of wheat (3.6% of world production and 9.6% of world trade), corn (2.3% and 12.4%), vegetable oils (3% and 6.8%), sugar (1.2% and 1.6%), poultry meat (1% and 2.1%), butter (1% and 3.5%), and skimmed milk powder (2.5% and 1.4%). It is expected that at the end of this decade, Ukraine will provide up to 10% of world wheat exports, up to 14% of world supplies of corn and 8.5% of the vegetable oil market, 2.6% of the butter market and 1.7% of the poultry market, 1% of the sugar markets and skimmed milk powder. Practical significance. Based on the results of the research, we prepared proposals for developing measures for food security in Ukraine and increasing its participation in the world food trade. Tabl.: 1. Figs.: 2. Refs.: 12.