Foreign trade in Ukrainian agricultural goods in the context of the association agreement with the European Union

Foreign trade plays an essential role in the economy of Ukraine. The leading role of agro-industrial export for Ukraine is gaining the level of national, in particular, food security of the state. Thus, changes in foreign trade in agricultural products should be based on both the fundamental principles of sectoral production and the shifts in modern production. The purpose of the study – identify, based on the analysis, trends in foreign trade and areas for improving the competitiveness of agricultural products of Ukraine with the European Union (EU) in the context of the implementation of the Association Agreement. The following methods were used: analysis and synthesis, analytical generalisations – in the process of analysing foreign trade in agricultural goods; tabular – for a visual representation of the results of the study; economic and statistical – to assess the trends in foreign trade; abstract and logical – in the development of conclusions. The volumes, dynamics, and structure of exports and imports of agricultural goods of Ukraine with the EU countries are analysed, changes in the foreign trade regime are assessed, and trends and impact of the implementation of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on the development of foreign trade of Ukraine are established. The place and importance of the agricultural sector in European markets are explored. The foreign trade turnover of agricultural goods in Ukraine is determined. The algorithm for assessing the level of competitiveness of agricultural products is summarised. It is established that with the strengthening of the export orientation of raw materials to the EU market of crop production, therewith, there is a high import dependence on finished food products, and the structure of imports is more diversified. Adaptation of Ukrainian legislation in the field of agriculture, sanitary and phytosanitary measures are incomplete and do not correspond to the planned pace. Ways to diversify exports and increase the profitability of foreign trade in agricultural products from Ukraine in the EU market are proposed