The article summarizes the approaches to assessing the effectiveness of integration presented in the economic literature and tested in world practice, argues the feasibility of creating integrated structures, highlights the main conceptual approaches to qualitative assessment of the effectiveness of integration of economic entities, namely: approaches based on the environment; transaction cost theory; assessment of the achievement of competitive advantages; assessing the benefits of long-term business relationships; theories of financial management; assessment of the interaction of shareholders and managers. In order to ensure the efficient functioning of the food industry, prevent further decline of all its industries and to ensure the competitiveness of domestic products in domestic and foreign markets, it is necessary to move to an innovative type of development and diversify the products of the food industry. In modern conditions, diversification acquires a slightly deeper meaning and can be defined as a variety of activities of the enterprise in the production, financial and marketing spheres. The strategy of diversification of agricultural enterprises, which consists of expanded specialization and activities, vertical integration, renewal of ties and new initiatives, in the crisis can ensure stable business results. It is believed that diversification provides: resource competitive advantages (advantages that increase the consumer effect associated with price characteristics), technological competitive advantages (advantages that are due to the availability and operation of mass production technologies), innovative competitive advantages (advantages that allow to provide updating of the nomenclature and range), partnership competitive advantages (advantages which are connected with formation of social, economic standards of economic activity and their realization. Therefore it is extremely necessary to focus on research of methodical provisions by means of which it is possible to analyze diversification measures at the enterprises).