METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF FORMING VALUE ADDED CHAINS IN THE SPHERE OF LIVESTOCK AND ITS PROCESSING

Under current conditions, the creation of added value is gaining increasing importance as a key indicator of efficiency and competitiveness. Enhancing the level of added value generated throughout the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of goods or services contributes to the performance of an economic entity. The livestock industry, as one of the key sectors of the agro-industrial complex, plays a critical role in ensuring national food security, shaping the domestic consumer market, and developing export potential. Optimizing value-added chains, particularly in livestock production and processing, not only improves production profitability but also strengthens the competitiveness of national products. The relevance of the study and the existence of previously unresolved components of the overall problem determine the research objective, which is to improve theoretical and methodological approaches to the essence, formation, and development of value-added chains in livestock and its processing under modern economic conditions. The article explores the concept of added value and defines the essence of the value-added chain, providing a systematization of scientific approaches to its formation. A methodological approach to studying value-added chains in livestock and its processed products is substantiated, which involves identifying the main stages of value formation as well as a set of key indicators that make it possible to assess the efficiency of each link in the value chain - from raw material production to the final consumer and post-sale services. It is determined that forming a value-added chain in livestock and processing requires a systemic approach to organizing economic activity, aimed at the step-by-step enhancement of product value at each stage of transformation - from raw materials to the final consumer good. Overall, the research demonstrates that developing effective value-added chains in the livestock sector is a crucial prerequisite for advancing the agricultural sector. The value-added chain in livestock is a dynamic system requiring the integration of modern technologies, marketing approaches, and precise logistical organization. Its effectiveness directly influences the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agricultural sector in both domestic and international markets.