The cluster approach in ensuring the competitiveness of the participants of grain and grain products market

The article analyzes the current content of the concept of «agro-industrial cluster» and the author's understanding of the process of clustering regional space is represented. View on the essence of competition through the prism of the cluster approach is reflected. The assessment results of the potential of the clustering regional space of Kursk region on the sphere of activity «agriculture» are presented. The main factors affecting the ability to combine participants of grain and grain products market in the agro-industrial cluster are reflected. The algorithm of making decision about the appropriateness of combining participants of grain and grain products market to a cluster through economic and mathematical modeling based on the theory of fuzzy sets is described. Calculated estimation of the advisability of combining existing participants of grain and grain products market in the agro-industrial cluster is presented. The results of empirical studies on the basis of official statistical reporting of model enterprises - potential cluster participants are presented.