Policy priorities for ensuring the economic security of the national machine-building complex for the development of the aquaculture product market and provision of state support for equipment

The article is dedicated to examining state policy priorities in ensuring the economic security of the national machine-building complex to support the development of the aquaculture product market and to provide state assistance for equipment amidst severe financial and food security challenges. Scientifically substantiated amendments and modifications are proposed to the Law of Ukraine “On State Support for Agriculture of Ukraine,” No. 1877-IV of 24.06.2004, to enable mechanisms for state support in aquaculture, mainly through partial compensation for the purchase of machinery, mechanisms, and equipment for aquaculture production and processing. The proposal includes stabilizing and modernizing the production sector by offering state subsidies to reimburse aquaculture entities for up to 50% of the purchased aquaculture equipment, including technology for fish farming, hatcheries, fish processing, and logistics. The findings emphasize that state support is warranted, as market mechanisms alone cannot address the challenges due to the unique nature of aquaculture operations, limitations in the aquaculture sector, extended production cycles, and slow capital turnover (4.3 years). Additional challenges include restrictions related to ownership and use of primary production resources (lack of a fully functioning long-term land mortgage mechanism for water bodies, fragmented land plots), a high number of micro-producers reliant on a few suppliers and processors, significant impacts of military actions on aquaculture, dependency on external market conditions, and the practical inaccessibility of foreign markets for micro-producers. Calculations were based on actual figures for market fish sales in 2023 under Form 1A-Fish, indicating that total sales volume reached 9,676,871.3 kg, with an average price of 64.2 UAH per kg and a total sales value of 621,616.8 thousand UAH. Approximately 4,000 aquaculture entities operate in the market, split evenly between individual entrepreneurs and legal entities. Research results suggest that a comprehensive state policy is required to ensure the economic security of the machine-building sector by stimulating the domestic market, supporting innovation, and developing strategic sectors such as aquaculture. Keywords: economic security, state policy, machine-building complex of the country, market, state support, aquaculture products, mechanism, regulation, hatchery and fish processing equipment, industry.