Quality is a key indicator of efficiency of brewery barley production

The purpose of the article is to generalize the theoretical foundations of the formation of brewing quality in grain and practical experience of barley farms and formulate recommendations on ways to improve the quality of grain products as a key indicator of efficiency of production of malting barley. Research methods. The following methods were used in the research: monographic, scientific generalization (in clarifying the essence of the concept of "quality"), dialectical (in determining the role of quality), expert evaluation (to determine the requirements of statistically unaccounted for barley), system analysis and abstract logical, (to determine the dynamics of the market, price conditions, justification of conclusions and proposals). Research results. The essence of the concept of product quality is revealed and the requirements of national standards for the quality of barley in the direction of use in comparison with European and modern contractual specifications of the malt producer directly in Ukraine are comprehensively covered. The factors influencing the quality of barley are clarified and recommendations how to improve it are adapted to the resource constraints of agricultural enterprises and changes in the external environment. A special role in improving the quality of malting barley is given to the integrated quality management system. The definition of brewing quality of grain as an economic category, which forms its additional value at all stages of the chain of physiological and biochemical transformations from barley to malt and beer is substantiated. We believe that the generalizing measure of economically optimal product quality is the price, which represents the ratio of production costs and sales of products with a set of properties. Scientific novelty. Studies of the role of quality, factors of its formation and impact on economic efficiency of production are based on multi-vector analysis of theoretical foundations on quality issues and practical experience in growing barley for brewing in farms cooperating with malting corporations in Ukraine. Practical significance. Conclusions on the need for unambiguous adequate perception of the role and quality problems of market-forming institutions and recommendations for improving the efficiency of malting barley by improving its quality will help to achieve a balance of industrial and commercial relations between related agricultural enterprises and malt corporations and sustainable development. Tabl.: 2. Refs.: 19.