Price competitiveness of Ukrainian enterprises producing edible chicken eggs on the European Union market

In the context of the European integration of Ukraine, the need to study the competitiveness of Ukrainian agricultural products in the European Union's markets is becoming increasingly common. Ukraine has significant export potential in the farming sector, which is possible if it exits and strengthens its position in promising international markets. Industrial poultry farming of the egg production area is one of the most export-oriented areas of the agricultural sector of Ukraine, which determines the relevance of research on the competitiveness of Ukrainian enterprises for the production of edible chicken eggs, particularly in the markets of EU countries. The article analyzes the dynamics of wholesale selling prices for edible eggs in Ukraine and the countries of the European Union. The level of the coefficients of price competitiveness of food eggs in the EU states and Ukraine was determined and substantiated. A comparative analysis of prices for edible eggs in the most promising segments of the European market was carried out. The influence of the main factors of the price competitiveness of Ukrainian egg poultry enterprises on the markets of the EU countries is substantiated. According to the research results, Ukrainian enterprises producing edible chicken eggs have a relatively high level of price competitiveness compared to farms in most EU countries. It was also determined that compared to Ukrainian exporters of edible eggs, farms in Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, and Ireland are characterized by a high level of price competitiveness in the market with a coefficient value of 0.7-0.85. It has been investigated that the main factors influencing the price competitiveness of Ukrainian egg-poultry enterprises include market conditions, the establishment of export barriers (quotas, customs duties), standards and requirements for egg quality and methods of humane breeding and keeping of chickens, the spread of infectious diseases in poultry farming, price fluctuations for concentrated feed, state support for exporters and other factors. In general, due to lower feed prices and a higher level of productivity in the use of material, technical, and labor resources involved, Ukrainian industrial producers of edible chicken eggs have long-term competitive advantages in terms of product prices compared to farms in EU countries, subject to limited protectionist measures, the strengthening of which will deter implementation of the export potential of egg poultry production of Ukraine in the studied market.