GLOBAL PRODUCTION OF SUNFLOWER AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SUNFLOWER OIL

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to deepen the theoretical and methodological foundations and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of global sunflower production and international trade in sunflower oil based on the study of interrelations between vertically integrated markets – the raw material market (sunflower seed), the processing market (products of the oil and fat industry), and the final product market (sunflower oil) – as well as to determine Ukraine’s place and role in the global value chain. Methodology of research. The research methodology is based on a systems approach, which involves the combination of abstraction methods, logical generalization, comparative analysis, economic and statistical methods, as well as graphical modelling to identify structural changes, development trends, and intermarket dependencies at the global level. The information base of the study includes analytical materials of international organizations, statistical databases, and research findings of domestic and foreign scholars. Findings. The results of the study indicate that the global sunflower and sunflower product market is characterized by a high level of concentration, as well as a general trend of increasing production and export volumes of sunflower oil. It is demonstrated that the functioning of the market has a hierarchical structure, where the basic raw material market forms the prerequisites for the development of derived markets, and changes at each level lead to transformations across the entire value chain. Key factors influencing global market dynamics have been identified, including agro-climatic conditions, geopolitical risks, logistical constraints, and transformations in demand for vegetable oils. Ukraine’s special role as one of the leading producers of sunflower seeds and the world’s leading exporter of sunflower oil is substantiated, which determines its strategic importance for ensuring global food security. Practical value. The practical significance of the research results lies in their potential use for substantiating strategic directions for the development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, improving economic efficiency and effectiveness of participation in international trade, and optimizing positioning in global markets for high value-added products. The proposed approach to the analysis of vertically related markets can be applied in shaping state agricultural and foreign economic policy, as well as in the practical activities of economic entities for making effective managerial decisions regarding the development of production, processing, and export of sunflower complex products.