Inventory management at agro-industrial enterprises based on the Harris – Wilson model

This article is devoted to the analysis of inventory management tools in the context of supply activities of enterprises of the agro-industrial complex. The article analyzes the application of the classic inventory optimization tool – the Harris – Wilson model in the specific conditions of the agro-industrial complex. The study focuses on the features of the model use due to the seasonality of production and consumption, price instability and limited shelf life of agricultural products. A detailed analysis of the factors influencing the choice of the optimal order size is carried out. These include storage costs, delivery costs, product turnover rate, seasonal fluctuations in demand, risk of spoilage and price instability. The practical part of the article presents an algorithm for applying the Harris – Wilson model using the example of a specific enterprise of the agro-industrial complex. The results of the study demonstrate that the Harris – Wilson model can be successfully adapted to optimize the inventory management system in the agro-industrial complex, allowing to reduce storage and purchasing costs, minimize risks associated with price fluctuations and, ultimately, improve production efficiency. This article will be useful for specialists in the field of inventory management, managers of agricultural enterprises, as well as students studying logistics and supply chain management.