DYNAMICS AND STRUCTURE OF THE AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY MARKET IN UKRAINE COMPARED TO THE EU

The relevance of the study is determined by the importance of the agricultural machinery market for the modernization of agricultural production, the growth of its productivity and competitiveness in the context of Ukraine’s strategic economic integration with the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU). In the context of structural transformations, macroeconomic instability, and post-crisis recovery, a comparative analysis of the dynamics and structural characteristics of the agricultural machinery markets of Ukraine and the EU is of particular importance, as it allows identifying existing development imbalances, adaptation challenges, and the potential for further integration. The purpose of the article is to analyze and compare the dynamics, structural characteristics, and competitive parameters of the agricultural machinery markets of Ukraine and the European Union, as well as to substantiate the prospects for convergence and integration within the European economic space. The study found that the EU agricultural machinery market is characterized by stable development dynamics, a diversified structure, a high level of technological saturation, and strong positions of domestic manufacturers, which are supported by developed distribution and service networks. It was found that the Ukrainian market is characterized by significantly higher volatility, which is associated with macroeconomic fluctuations, limited domestic production capacities, dependence on imports, and the destructive influence of the military factor. It has been found that the structural differences between the markets lie in the dominance of modern, high-tech equipment in the EU and the prevalence of outdated and used equipment in Ukraine, which negatively affects productivity and competitiveness. It is emphasized that the competitiveness of the EU market is strengthened by systematic investments in innovation, digitalization, and compliance with environmental standards, while Ukraine faces constraints related to insufficient funding, institutional gaps, and technological backwardness. At the same time, it was determined that Ukraine has significant potential for market development due to the scale of its agricultural sector and growing demand for modern technology. The conclusions state that reducing structural and technological disparities between the agricultural machinery markets of Ukraine and the EU requires consistent institutional reforms, harmonization of technical standards, stimulation of domestic production, and expansion of access to European investment and innovation mechanisms.