RESEARCH ON THE STATE AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS OF DAIRY ENTERPRISES IN UKRAINE

This article presents a comprehensive study of the state and development trends of Ukrainian dairy industry enterprises over the period from 2010 to 2023. The study is based on the analysis of a wide range of macroeconomic and microeconomic indicators, including livestock dynamics, production and sales volumes, enterprise structure, employment and labor productivity, capital investment, profitability, and foreign trade activity. The objective of the research is to evaluate how the industry has evolved under the influence of structural transformations, geopolitical shocks, demographic decline, and economic instability, particularly in the context of the full-scale war that began in 2022. The findings demonstrate a steady and profound degradation of the raw material base, as the number of cows more than halved over the analyzed period. This led to a corresponding decline in milk production volumes and imposed significant limitations on the industry’s capacity for stable growth. The structural analysis of enterprises reveals a pronounced shift towards small and micro-enterprises, which currently constitute over 70% of all active market participants. While these entities show flexibility and adaptability, they often lack the investment potential and technological capabilities needed for systemic modernization. The study also highlights a substantial decrease in the number of employees in the industry, accompanied by a notable increase in labor productivity. This reflects both the effect of technological advancements and the growing pressure on remaining labor resources. Although capital investment trends are highly volatile and dependent on the political environment, there is a gradual increase in interest toward intangible assets, particularly digital solutions and innovations. Financial indicators show a transition from chronic unprofitability to a state of relative stability and even profitability in recent years, despite the war. The growing share of profitable enterprises, alongside improved efficiency metrics, confirms the adaptive capacity of the industry. However, the foreign trade analysis reveals a decrease in export volumes and a growing dependence on imports, raising concerns about the industry’s global competitiveness. In general, the Ukrainian dairy industry is undergoing a deep and complex transformation. The research concludes that ensuring long-term sustainability requires a strategic shift toward innovation-driven development, targeted government support, investment incentives, and the creation of effective tools to assess and stimulate enterprise growth in a changing environment.