FROM AGRIBUSINESS TO AGRI-INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS: CONCEPTUAL TRANSFORMATION AND INTEGRATION MECHANISMS

Abstract

The aim of the article is to systematize the historical evolution of the agribusiness category, distinguish it from the concepts of the agro-industrial complex and agricultural entrepreneurship, and substantiate the scientific content of the “agri-industrial business” category in the context of modern value chains. The study employed methods of systemic analysis, comparative-categorical analysis, a historicallogical approach, and functional decomposition. As a result, agri-industrial business was interpreted as a category that unites resources and services, agricultural production, processing, logistics, marketing, and consumer relations into a single entrepreneurial system. The differences between vertical and contractual integration were revealed in terms of ownership, control, risk distribution, and market access for small businesses. Furthermore, a multi-level management mechanism operating at the enterprise, national, and international levels was proposed. The discussion results show that terminological updating alone is insufficient; this category must be reinforced with real institutions that coordinate economic interests, information, and risks across the value chain.