CLUSTER APPROACH TO ORGANIZING VALUE CHAINS FOR OILSEED CROPS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR UKRAINE

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of conceptual foundations and applied aspects of implementing the cluster approach as a tool for restructuring oilseed value chains in the context of the transformation of Ukraine's agro-industrial complex. The relevance of the study is determined by the critical imbalance between the export potential of the industry and the level of added value realized on the domestic market: the share of raw material exports reaches 40%, which indicates a suboptimal configuration of production and processing chains and underutilization of available resource competencies. The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate and develop an organizational and economic model of an oil cluster adapted to the institutional environment and industry specifics of Ukraine. The methodological basis of the study is formed by systematic analysis, comparative method, structural-functional approach, methods of scientific abstraction and economic modeling, as well as comparative analysis of international cluster practices in the agro-industrial sector. The information base consists of statistical data from industry institutions, materials from the Institute of Oil Crops of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences, and the results of an analysis of Ukraine's foreign trade activity in 2022–2025. The results of the study justify the feasibility of a hybrid cluster model that integrates regional spatial concentration with a nationwide innovation network. It has been proven that cluster organization generates synergistic effects at all stages of the production and processing chain: a 15–25% increase in yield through access to specialized agronomic innovations, a reduction in storage losses from 3–5% to 1–2%, a 20–30% reduction in logistics costs, and a significant expansion of the range of deep-processed products. The mechanism of industrial symbiosis has been conceptualized, transforming processing by-products into independent commodity items with high margins. The practical value of the work is determined by the possibility of direct use of the proposed model in the process of developing regional strategies for the development of the agro-industrial complex, programs for post-war restoration of industry infrastructure, and European integration initiatives in the field of increasing the competitiveness of Ukrainian agricultural exports.