The article is devoted to the search for areas of improving the activities of agribusiness enterprises based on factor analysis procedures according to the results of an expert survey in the South of Russia. The theoretical substantiation of the research concept and interviews with representatives of financial and economic services of agricultural enterprises in the region confirmed the relevance of the study and ensured the development of a research model for collecting empirical data. The expert survey was attended by 48 representatives of the professional community of the Stavropol Territory economists. Factor analysis of expert judgments was performed using SPSS Statistics (version 27). Critical points in the development of the regional industry system were identified: insufficient digital maturity and strategic planning in enterprise management; financial constraints and outdated infrastructure in agribusiness; insufficient integration and marketing efficiency in the agro-industrial complex; economic and personnel barriers to digitalization of agricultural processes. The obtained research data can be used in the development of regional agricultural policy aimed at maintaining the sustainability of the agricultural sector and rural areas of the South of Russia.