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The significance of vegetable production is driven by the need of the population for vitamin products, processing enterprises for raw materials, especially in wartime, in the face of food and environmental hazards, and the need to increase export opportunities, considering international integration processes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of war on the economic availability and environmental safety of food, to identify and assess the components and vectors of food and environmental safety management, and to evaluate and promote exports in the context of international economic integration. The study employed the methods of analysis and synthesis, generalisation and specification, mathematical and graphical methods. Sources of information: data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. The study analysed the current state of vegetable production, identified the key problems under the influence of food hazards, environmental factors, and integration processes. The study examined the impact of the war on the economic availability and environmental safety of food, estimated the volume of deficit in vegetable production, identified the principal economic and environmental problems and areas for improving the efficiency of the industry in the future. The volume of the deficit in vegetable production was found and the size of the lost sowing areas was determined; the reasons for the unsatisfactory state of vegetable production were identified. It was established that in recent years the country has experienced a temporary famine, which is unacceptable in the European space. It was found that, to minimise the agri-food crisis and environmental threats, it is necessary to focus on the implementation of the proposed measures to support production efficiency, the implementation of which will allow solving the issues of independence and food security of territorial communities, especially in times of war, and improve the functionality of governing bodies, economic entities, investors, scientists, and producers based on sustainable development. The practicality of the study findings is confirmed by the effectiveness of the developed proposals that can be used in the implementation of measures to increase vegetable production and exports

Beef production is driven by the need to ensure the country’s food security, meet the processing industry’s demand for raw materials, and increase state budget revenues from exports. The purpose of this study was to highlight the status and trends of production in the world and Ukraine, to identify issues and find areas of development considering international economic integration. The methods employed were analysis, synthesis, generalisation, specification, mathematical, and graphical. The study identified the upward trend in global beef and veal production, the main producing countries and the predominant stability of their share in global volumes over the decades. It was found that higher beef production does not always allow for higher per capita volumes (e.g., in China and India). Ukraine’s production and its share in global volumes are declining, although production exceeds consumption. It was found that the share of agricultural enterprises in the structure of economic entities is decreasing, and there is a direct dependence between their number and production volumes, which prevails in the Forest-Steppe zone. The largest producing regions (Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, Lviv) were highlighted, where priority development in the post-war period is expected. The study found the principal reasons for the decline in production, including a decrease in livestock numbers, negative profitability, and rising average consumer prices. Based on the SWOT analysis results, development prospects were identified and relevant proposals were developed. The reasons for the decrease in the number of cattle and beef were proposed to be distinguished as general, and those related to enterprises and household farms; their interdependence was emphasised. The study stressed the need for state support for producers by providing food aid to the population free of charge and by purchasing products at lower prices depending on their financial level. International economic integration was singled out as one of the key factors of increasing beef production. The study emphasised the need to consider the consumer preferences of the population of countries with which regional trade agreements have been concluded, specifically regarding the production of kosher and halal products. The findings of this study and the proposals provided can be used to develop government measures to increase beef production and increase its share in world exports

Over the past decades, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of integration groupings in the world, and regional trade agreements are concluded by countries of different levels of economic development on all continents. The benefits of integration contribute to this process, but it should be taken into account that realities do not always correspond to expectations, in addition, countries face a number of risks. Such associations as the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and in Latin America - MERCOSUR have reached the highest level of development. Ukraine has also concluded regional trade agreements with dozens of countries and individual integration groups, in particular the EU and EFTA. Based on the above, the desire to benefit from international economic integration, the need to identify prospects, the feasibility of analysis, appropriate methods have been developed and applied. The aim of the study is to analyze methods for assessing international economic integration, taking into account the sectoral level, in particular the integration of agri-food markets. The article analyzes methodological approaches to determining the level of integration, integration criteria, outlines the consequences of integration from the standpoint of statistical effects, etc. The importance of using partial and general equilibrium models, gravitational models is emphasized. The possible consequences of international economic integration depending on the economic development of the member countries of the integration association are noted. It is proposed to calculate the indicator of integration assessment, which allows assessing trade in products within the grouping, and an algorithm has been developed to determine the impact of integration on foreign trade, taking into account the commodity and geographical structure of exports. The features of the analysis of the integration of agricultural markets are noted, the importance of using the index method for measuring the regional concentration of world trade is highlighted. The application of the above methods, conclusions and recommendations can help improve the assessment of integration processes and make decisions that will have a positive impact on the further development of integration.

Ukraine’s trade in agricultural products plays the key role in determining the well-being of its citizens. The objective of the paper is to reveal the structural transformations in Ukraine’s agricultural production, to analyze the geographical and commodity structure of exports with the focus on agro-food products, to identify the top world importers/exporters of the selected agro-food products, as well as to examine Ukraine’s merchandise trade in 2022 and compare it with that of 2021. The data, taken from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine; the Trade Map, developed by the UNCTAD/WTO International Trade Center; the State Customs Service of Ukraine, as well as agricultural policies of the developed countries served as the information source for research, in which various methods have been used, e.g.: economic-mathematical, statistical, comparison, graphical, tabular, method of expert assessments, etc. The results demonstrate the empirical experience of the importance of agricultural exports for the country’s ability to remain in international trade flows in the conditions of military operations in this country. An empirical example of the impact of the withdrawal of one of the leading suppliers of certain types of agricultural products from world trade is also considered, and the impact of some steps on the return of this country to world trade in the context of ongoing geopolitical shifts is determined.

This paper examines world trade in agri-food products in the context of international economic integration. This is due to the importance of foreign trade for the economic development of countries, especially in the context of globalisation, the increase in the number of integration groups whose participation affects the terms of trade of their member and non-member countries, and the aggravation of the food crisis. The purpose of this article is to identify the state and trends of world trade in agri-food products, taking into account regional characteristics and the participation of countries in integration groupings, and to determine their role in the future. Methodology. The research is based on a comparison of parts of individual regions and integration groups in world trade, identifying trends and features. The publication uses the methods of analysis, synthesis, generalisation, comparative assessment, and graphical methods, in particular, to identify the main trends, draw conclusions, etc. Results. The study shows that world trade in agri-food products is growing significantly, both globally and by region. The countries of Europe and the Americas are the main exporters, but the countries of Asia, South and Central America and Africa are the fastest growing exporters. However, the main suppliers remain the member countries of the most advanced integration groupings - the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). It is proposed to divide the main exporters into regions, integration groups and countries. The issue of food security is one of the most important in modern conditions and within the integration groups. It is advisable that they contribute to some extent to solving this problem at the regional level and in relation to third countries. To this end, it is advisable to develop measures to provide food aid to countries affected by natural disasters, climate change or other adverse circumstances on several fronts: within integration groups, in the region and at the global level. These groups are expected to remain among the largest suppliers of agri-food products in the future, and one of the main reasons for this is their participation in integration groups, which facilitates the liberalisation of the movement of new technologies, in particular to the agricultural sector.

The importance of international economic integration is underlined by the simultaneous conclusion by countries of regional trade agreements with various integration groups and individual countries, which is typical for Ukraine, which signed the Association Agreement with the EU, a number of free trade agreements and is part of the BSEC, which is especially important given the development of trade in Asia. The purpose of the study is to analyse the foreign trade relations of the BSEC countries and substantiate proposals for their deepening. The method of analysis was used in the work, including historical, abstract-logical, economic-mathematical, etc. The main perspective directions of BSEC cooperation are substantiated as a result of the analysis of scientific works on international economic integration on separation of the Asian region, economic indicators of countries and basic documents of the organization, separate normative-legal acts of Ukraine. The main exporters and importers were identified, the specific features of the BSEC commodity structure were clarified, the main exporting goods were identified, with the separation of agri-food products, foreign trade trends were analysed and some indicators of international trade were identified. The products that occupy the largest share in the country’s exports to the group have been identified, which is a prerequisite for the establishment of joint ventures and can help increase their competitiveness. It was found that the group’s exports increased more than the world, and the main exporters continue to remain so. The growth of intra-regional and total imports of the group was revealed, its structure was analysed. It is determined that the trade balance of most countries was mostly negative. The practical value is to identify the most promising areas of cooperation of the BSEC countries, which should promote their economic development, including – product positions for the development of domestic and extraregional trade, to increase demand inside and outside the region, producers’ incomes and partially solve problems and food security in the world

The conclusion of regional trade agreements has increased to hundreds. The benefits of integration, fears of protectionism on the part of uniting countries, and other factors contribute to this process. Ukraine has signed agreements with more than 40 countries, including integration groups. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the specific features of its agreements, prospects for their development and signing new ones. It is worth analysing the conclusion of agreements in the historical aspect, based on the level of their economic development, foreign trade, the trade complementarity level, and identifying development opportunities. Therefore, general scientific and special methods were used in this study, in particular historical, analysis and synthesis, economic analysis, tabular, etc. The study examined research performed by other scientists; statistical data from the Centre for international trade, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO); international treaties and regulatory documents. According to the analysis of concluding agreements, it is proposed to divide them into two periods: before and after 2000. In the first case, they were concluded mainly with developing and neighbouring countries, and in the second – with developed countries outside the former Soviet Union. At first, the partners were mainly the CIS countries, then Europe, and later other regions, but there were also disintegration processes with the Baltic states. It is established that transactions have their specific features regarding the provision of a favourable regime, e-commerce, etc. It is proposed to divide integration risks into predictable and unpredictable ones. The main importers of all and agri-food products were identified among the countries with which agreements have been concluded. Exports to such countries are mainly growing, as well as the share of agri-food products. The trade balance and low share in Ukraine's exports indicate the feasibility of developing trade. The calculation of the complementarity index allows predicting the prospects for the development of relations with countries with which agreements are planned and already concluded, as well as with the main importers of the world market. The results of the study indicate prospects for the development of trade, but this will depend on the content of transactions, product competitiveness, etc.