INFLUENCE OF THE TNC “KERNEL” ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL MARKETS AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

Abstract

The article examines the impact of the transnational corporation Kernel on international agricultural markets and the processes of Ukraine’s economic integration into the global economy. The key areas of the company’s activity are identified, including: production and export of sunflower oil and grain crops, development of logistics in-frastructure, investments in bioenergy, and the digitalization of trading operations. It is emphasized that Kernel controls over 12% of the global sunflower oil market, making Ukraine one of the leading players in the field of food security. The integration of the corporation into global value chains has been studied through the development of port terminals, elevator complexes, its own railway car fleet, and the implementation of innovative logistics solutions. It is highlighted that the activities of transnational corporations in the agricultural sector have both positive effects (in-creased competitiveness, attraction of foreign investment, development of export potential) and potential risks (depend-ence on external markets, geopolitical threats, price volatility). Kernel is proposed as an example of a Ukrainian com-pany that combines internal modernization with external expansion, implementing digital management tools, risk hedg-ing systems, and ESG strategies. Examples of innovations such as VMI models, electronic contracts, and bioenergy projects, which contribute to strengthening sustainable development and international integration, are analyzed. Kernel acts as a catalyst for the development of the agricultural sector and Ukraine’s integration into global economic pro-cesses. Future research perspectives include analyzing the impact of Ukrainian agricultural TNCs on global food secu-rity, assessing their socio-economic effects on regional development, and studying the effectiveness of “green” technol-ogies in the context of international competitiveness.