Enterprise integration and formation of cluster structures in the field of food sector

Purpose. The study purpose is determining the prospects of formation and development of clusters of food sector in Ukrainian regions. To achieve this purpose, it is substantiated the scientific and methodological approach to assessing regions in terms of cluster structures formation in the food sector field, acceptable types of economic activities for food cluster development are identified, localization coefficients for food cluster formation by Ukrainian regions are calculated, types of economic activities for cluster core formation by regions are substantiated, the regions are ranked according to the prospects of cluster structures' formation in food sector. Methodology / method / approach. During the research, general scientific and special research methods are used, namely: industry analysis, generalization and systematization methods for determining economic activity types which are acceptable for the food cluster development; multidimensional statistical analysis for grouping of regions according to industry factor of enterprises which are the cluster core; multicriterion assessment for determining prospects on formation of cluster structures of food sector in regions. The initial basis of the study is data from State Statistics Service of Ukrainian regions development. Results. On the base of the research results, it is made conclusion about the prospects of development of cluster structures of food sector in regions of Ukraine. It is determined that the most promising for the cluster formation is the integrated structure creation on the base of enterprises which main economic activity is agriculture. Taking into account the value of localization coefficients by types of economic activity, Ukrainian regions are grouped according to the prospects criterion for the formation and development of cluster structures in the food sector. As a result of the conducted research the conclusion about significant prospects of food clusters' formation in regions of Ukraine is made: it is determined that 11 regions have high prospects, 7 regions have average prospects of creation of cluster structures in food sector. Originality / scientific novelty. It is improved the scientific and practical approach to the assessment of regions by the criterion of prospects' formation and development of cluster structures in the food sector; it is based on the taking into account level of activity localization in the food sector and food production dynamics by regions. Practical value / significance. The development of agriculture, trade and food production in Ukraine predetermines the reasonability of food clusters creating in regions of the country. The practical value of the proposed scientific and methodological approach to assessing the regions using the coefficients of localization and food production growth is the possibility of its use for identifying the most promising regions of Ukraine in terms of cluster structures' formation in the food sector.