PRODUCTION OF NICHE GRAIN CROPS IN UKRAINE: LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

Abstract

The article analyzes the level of development and efficiency of production of niche grain crops in Ukraine in 2015-2024 using the example of rye, oats, millet, buckwheat, rice, triticale and sorghum. It is noted that in general, the sown areas under them during this period decreased by a third, in particular under rice – by four times, under triticale and sorghum – by three, under rye – by two times. In 2024, the largest share in the structure of crops was oats – 38.2%, millet – 20.5% and buckwheat – 20.0%, in total, these crops accounted for 78.7% of the sown areas. Almost half (44.7%) of the gross harvest of niche grain crops is represented by oat crops, the share of rye (21.4%) and millet (15.3%) is also high. It is noted that the volumes of foreign trade in this group of crops fluctuate depending on the situation in the domestic and world markets. Despite the fact that in 2024, compared to 2015, 28.8% less products were exported, due to the increase in prices, the volume of revenue increased by 6% – to 50,559 thousand USD. The main export crops were millet and sorghum with shares in exports of 53.7 and 27.0%, respectively. It is emphasized that the level of economic efficiency of production of niche grain crops fluctuates over the years of the analyzed period depending on the influence of a complex of factors, in particular the level of costs, demand volumes, price conditions, state support for the industry, etc. In 2024, the industry as a whole, across all categories of enterprises, was unprofitable at the level of UAH 1,015 million, which, as shown by the results of the factor analysis of the change in the mass of profit, was 84.3% due to an increase in costs. At the same time, small farms demonstrated the profitability of niche cereals, the level of which was not inferior to the similar indicator for such traditional crops as wheat, corn for grain and barley. This indicates the significant potential of this form of management and the expediency of its support at the state level. In general, the prospects of niche production in the context of the growth of consumer interest in the consumption of food products of plant origin are emphasized, which will contribute to the growth of demand for niche cereals and increasing the efficiency of their production.