Market Circulation of Digestate in Ukraine and Other Countries

The article examines the current state, characteristics and prospects of the market circulation of digestate, a by-product of anaerobic fermentation of biomass, which is a key element in the development of bioenergy and the circular economy. The chemical composition, agronomic value and classification of digestates depending on the type of raw material, aggregate state and degree of stabilisation are analysed. It is shown that digestate is an effective organic fertiliser capable of improving the physical and chemical properties of soils, promoting humus accumulation and restoring the microbiocenosis. Particular focus is given to the international experience of regulating digestate use in agriculture. The regulatory approaches of EU countries, Great Britain, China, the USA, Canada and Australia with regard to the safety, certification, logistics and agronomic monitoring of digestate-based fertilisers are analysed. The implementation of innovative technologies, such as digeponics, vermicomposting and microalgae cultivation, which enable the production of a wider range of value-added products, is emphasised. The need for further standardisation, infrastructure provision and incentive policies to develop the digestate market is emphasised. The potential environmental risks associated with the uncontrolled use of digestate are identified, in particular the eutrophication of water bodies and the accumulation of heavy metals. Statistical data on digestate production volumes in leading countries, including Germany, China, the United States and Ukraine, has been summarised. The key barriers to commercialising digestate are identified, and the strategic directions for integrating it into agricultural systems as a resource with high agronomic and economic potential are outlined. A comprehensive analysis of the current state, problems and prospects for the development of the digestate market in Ukraine in the context of the transition to a circular bioeconomy has been carried out. The agronomic value of digestate as a by-product of anaerobic fermentation, which can serve as an effective source of organic substances and macroelements for soil nutrition, has been revealed. The volumes of digestate production in Ukraine (1.5-2.0 million tonnes per year), the structure of its use, economic efficiency and factors affecting its market attractiveness have been assessed. Emphasis is placed on regulatory, technological, logistical and informational barriers that hinder the full development of the secondary market for biological fertilisers. The necessity for legislative recognition of digestate as an agrochemical product, the adaptation of national standards to European norms, the development of processing and certification infrastructure, and the creation of an information platform for market participants is substantiated. Mechanisms to stimulate demand, based on financial instruments and educational programmes for farmers, are also proposed. A scenario forecast for the development of the digestate market until 2030 is presented, considering the potential increase in its share of the organic fertiliser market from 8% to 22%. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the systematisation of international experience in regulating the digestate market, the adaptation of global practices to Ukrainian conditions, the assessment of the economic potential of digestate as a commodity product, and the formation of a forecast model for its integration into the agricultural sector of Ukraine.