THEORY AND PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION – CURRENT STATUS AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Introduction. Agricultural cooperatives have become essential institutional actors that ensure resilience, competitiveness, and social cohesion within rural economies. Their role extends beyond production coordination to functions such as risk sharing, value-chain integration, knowledge dissemination, and support for sustainable practices. In many developed and developing countries, cooperatives demonstrate a capacity to maintain market stability and promote innovation; however, disparities across regions reveal that their performance strongly depends on institutional quality, membership dynamics, and technological adaptability. The situation in Ukraine highlights these contrasts especially clearly. Purpose. The article aims to assess the current state of agricultural cooperation worldwide, identify factors shaping the effectiveness of cooperative models, and determine which international practices may be successfully adapted to strengthen Ukrainian cooperatives. Methods. The study applies comparative analysis of cooperative systems in the EU, Japan, Latin America, and other regions; reviews contemporary empirical research on efficiency, digitalisation, and member behaviour; and synthesises global market assessments and policy initiatives relevant to cooperative development. Results. The analysis demonstrates that EU and Japanese cooperatives play a dominant role in agricultural markets, integrating millions of members and generating high economic value through centralized processing, marketing, and financial services. Modern research highlights new challenges: internal governance tensions in large cooperatives, the influence of digital platforms on member engagement, and the growing relevance of sustainability-oriented strategies. For Ukraine, the findings reveal persistent structural barriers—low membership, limited trust, insufficient renewal of cooperative statistics, and inadequate policy mechanisms. At the same time, the diversity of global models illustrates tangible opportunities for institutional modernization. Conclusion. The author concludes that strengthening agricultural cooperation in Ukraine requires systematic adaptation of successful foreign approaches, promotion of digital tools, transparent governance mechanisms, and targeted state programmes supporting collective initiatives. The upcoming International Year of Cooperatives 2025 creates a favourable context for expanding partnerships, enhancing public awareness, and aligning national policies with global standards in cooperative development.