Theoretical and methodological foundations for the formation and development of the export potential of agricultural enterprises

<jats:p>The article is devoted to the issues of forming the export potential of agricultural enterprises, taking into account the current conditions of the agricultural sector and transformations in the foreign economic environment. The relevance of the research topic is determined by the increasing role of the agricultural sector in shaping Ukraine’s export flows, growing international competition, instability of global agricultural markets, and the impact of military, climatic, economic, political, and logistical factors. Under such conditions, the availability of a substantial natural resource base cannot be regarded as a sufficient prerequisite for ensuring sustainable competitive positions of agricultural enterprises in foreign markets. The study aims to substantiate the theoretical and methodological foundations for the formation and development of the export potential of agricultural enterprises, taking into account the factors of the contemporary foreign economic environment. To achieve this aim, the article defines the essence of export potential as an integral economic characteristic that reflects an enterprise’s ability to form, expand, and implement competitive export flows, based on the combination of production and resource, technological, institutional, infrastructural, and marketing capabilities. A model for the formation of the agricultural sector’s export potential, based on natural resource determinism, is substantiated. In contrast to existing approaches, the model considers the resource base the primary foundation of export capacity, whose effectiveness depends on the level of technological development and management quality. The main factors influencing the formation of export potential are categorized by their level of manifestation into external, direct, and internal factors. The influence of global market conditions, government regulation, consumer and competitor behavior, the state of production and logistics infrastructure, technological provision, financial potential, and enterprises’ participation in international production chains is determined. The key risks accompanying the formation and implementation of the export potential of agricultural enterprises are identified, including climatic and natural, economic, political, and institutional, as well as logistical risks. The analysis of their interaction has made it possible to determine the need for comprehensive risk management, diversification of export flows and sales markets, development of logistics infrastructure, and application of adaptive technologies. Keywords: potential, export potential, agricultural enterprises, agricultural sector, foreign economic activity, competitiveness, risks, strategic management.</jats:p>