Actual problems of innovative economy and law

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Development of foreign food hubs as a tool for strategic agritrading in countries of the Global South

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УДК: 339.5:338.439:631.11(1-13)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-2-5

Iatsenko Oleksandr,
Ph.D. in Economics, doctoral student of the International Trade and Marketing Department, Seeds Senior Finance Business Partner Ukraine at Syngenta LLC,
Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Kyiv, Ukraine,
0000-0002-0388-728X
Lukashenko Roman,
Intern, Internal Audit Department of the
Internal Audit Division of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine,
0009-0007-8507-7603
Yatsenko Olha,
Doctor of Economics, Professor Acting Head of the
International Trade and Marketing Department Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Kyiv, Ukraine,
0000-0003-4399-2217

Published: 31.05.2026

This article examines the role and prospects of developing overseas food hubs as a strategic tool for agricultural trade in the Global South.  It analyzes the evolution of international trade in agricultural products, contemporary approaches to defining food hubs, and the roles of food hubs within global supply chains. It summarizes scientific approaches to defining the nature of food hubs in the logistical integration of small and medium-sized enterprises. Attention is paid to the prospects of using food hubs to expand the presence of Ukrainian small- and medium-sized exporters in markets across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The economic, demographic, and food indicators of Global South countries are analyzed, and factors shaping long-term demand for food products and corresponding opportunities for Ukrainian businesses are identified. Based on an analysis of international trade statistics, the regions and commodity groups with the greatest potential for Ukrainian agricultural exports are identified. Possible areas of specialization for food hubs are proposed, depending on the needs of individual regions of the Global South and their food structures. It has been established that food hubs can perform a wide range of functions that facilitate logistical operations for small and medium-sized enterprises. Hubs can provide logistical functions and serve as centers for certification, marketing, product adaptation, and the coordination of interactions between producers and end consumers in remote markets. The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of using the results obtained to formulate strategies for the development of Ukrainian agricultural exports, diversifying foreign markets, improving support mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises in export, and strengthening the position of Ukrainian agricultural products in the global food security system.

Keywords: Food hubs, Global South, agritrading, export infrastructure, food security, Ukrainian exports.

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Iatsenko O. , Lukashenko R. , Yatsenko O. Development of foreign food hubs as a tool for strategic agritrading in countries of the Global South. Actual problems of innovative economy and law. 2026. №2. 25-31 pp. https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-2-5

Quote article, MLA style

Iatsenko O. , Lukashenko R. , Yatsenko O. Development of foreign food hubs as a tool for strategic agritrading in countries of the Global South. Actual problems of innovative economy and law. https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-2-5