The purpose of the article is to propose a methodological approach to assessing place and role of food in the overall energy problem, to consider possibilities of solving the existing contradiction between the production of food and biofuels, to identify development trends in the world market for biofuels and reasons for its slow development in Ukraine in context of economic and political interests of world countries, to propose approaches to optimal solution of the energy problem in Ukraine in accordance with current challenges, to develop an economic model for algorithm comparing effectiveness of different options for the use of agricultural feedstock to obtain biofuels compared to conventional fuels based on a specific market situation under a certain period of time. Research methods. In the research process were used the following scientific methods: dialectical method of cognition, which enabled to study formation processes for price proportions for oil and agricultural raw materials for biofuel production and their causal relationships in different spatial and temporal dimensions; systematic approach to optimal approach in solving the energy problem, as well as in determining thresholds for economic feasibility of agricultural product processing for food and energy needs; retrospective analysis that allowed to identify reasons for slow development of the domestic biofuel market in context of economic and political interests of the world countries of the world; statistical analysis for substantiation of expediency for processing of agricultural raw materials on biofuels on an example of rape. Research results. Methodological approach to assessing place and role of food in the general energy problem was developed. There were proposed possibilities for solving the existing contradiction between production of food and biofuels through adherence to processing volumes of agricultural products necessary to meet the food primary needs, which are determined on an example of grain at the level of minimum and rational consumption standards. Critical assessment was made and causes for containment of biofuel market development in Ukraine in context of economic and political interests of the world countries (EU members, Russia, Belarus) were defined. Economic model of an algorithm for comparing economic expediency of different depths of processing of agricultural raw materials was developed, and on its basis were made calculations on an example of rape based on a specific market situation in the corresponding period of time. Elements of scientific novelty. There was proposed methodological approach to assessing place and role of the food problem in the general energy problem, according to which food security as a type of energy problem is primary for human needs. It was established that food is a specific kind of energy, which is based on processes of photosynthesis and solar energy. Since agricultural raw materials can also be a source for other types of energy, including biofuels, and in the opposite direction it is not yet possible, there is an objective contradiction between production of biofuels and food. There was proposed approach to solve the existing contradiction between production of food and biofuels through compliance with processing volumes of agricultural products (on an example of grain) necessary to ensure food needs as priority, at the level of minimum and rational consumption norms. There was developed economic model for algorithm for comparing efficiency of various ways of agricultural raw material use for a purpose of obtaining biofuels (for example, rapeseed and biodiesel), depending on a market situation in a specific period of time. Practical significance. The economic model for algorithm for determining economic feasibility of rapeseed processing on biodiesel at micro and macro levels was proposed, depending on the market situation in a specific period of time. This enables to quickly determine competitiveness level of certain types of rapeseed products: rapeseed, oil, oilcake or biodiesel. There was developed methodical approach, according to which were determined grain volumes in Ukraine respective to needs for food as priority at level of minimum and rational consumption norms, as well as energy needs in alternative fuels. Tabl.: 4. Figs.: 2. Refs.: 34
biofuels; food safety; energy problem; price; cost; agricultural raw materials for biofuel production; traditional fuel types