Abstract:
Food security of Ukraine is an integral part of the national security of the state, a
factor for preserving its sovereignty, an essential component of demographic policy
and life support system, as well as a prerequisite for maintaining health and high
quality of life of the country's population. Agriculture occupies a special place in the
Ukrainian economy, since it plays a leading role in ensuring the country's food
security; it is an important supplier of raw materials for industry, the export of
agricultural products forms foreign exchange earnings, especially necessary in the
context of the country's debt crisis.
Vegetable production is a component of Ukraine's agrofood production, and the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recognized Ukraine as
a promising global donor of food, including vegetables.
Today, one of the most important problems both in Ukraine and in the world is
maintaining a balanced diet of people. It should be noted that in recent years, per
capita consumption of vegetables has increased. With the general trend towards an
increase in consumption, there is a significant reduction in the country's population. It
should be noted that the specifics of the formation of the consumption level in the
context of regions are different. The highest level of consumption of vegetables is in
Kherson, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions. In general, from the southern to northern
regions and to the west, it decreases. Significant changes are observed in certain years
and in certain regions, i.e., there are features in the formation of regional markets for
vegetable products.
