Strategic Directions for Ensuring Food Security of Ukraine in the Context of Economic Integration

Abstract

A methodological approach to assessing the stability of the agri-food sector based on a system of production stability indicators, food shortages, effective demand and balanced diet has been justified in order to identify threats to food security related to the instability of agro-industry and market imbalance. The methodology for assessing the sustainability of the country’s agri-food market makes it possible to quantify the threats to food security associated with the instability of agricultural production and market balance and to substantiate the directions of stabilising the functioning of the agri-food markets in Ukraine. It has been defined that the key measures include an adaptation of the regulatory framework in accordance with the requirements of the WTO and the EU in the field of product quality and safety, consumer protection, mandatory audit of food industry enterprises for the compliance with safety and quality requirements, mandatory control of imported food products and import restrictions in accordance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures. It is supposed to use the mechanism of tariff quotas within the framework of bilateral trade agreements and also bans and restrictions on imports on the basis of sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The directions of strengthening the role of Ukraine in ensuring international food security are to increase quotas for food imports to the EU on the basis of amendments to existing trade agreements, expand foreign sales markets for Ukrainian exporters, stimulate exports and attract small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises to participate in exports.