The purpose of the article is to study evolution of unresolved institutional (legislative, normative and managerial) problems of the development of market-oriented land relations in agriculture for the period of 2000-2018 that prevent the launch of a transparent land market in Ukraine. Research methods. In the research process were used the following scientific methods: the monographic method for analysing the view of scientists regarding the problem under study; method of empirical research for assessment of the current state and development of the land relations in agriculture; dialectical method of cognition for analysis of scientific works of Ukrainian and foreign scientists; historical approach has been applied in the process of review of the implementation of agrarian reforms and institutional transformations aimed at regulating land relations in agriculture; abstract and logical method for assessing compliance of land legislation and in the formulation of conclusions to the article. Research results. According to the analysis results of institutional problems of development of market-oriented land relations, it was concluded that during the period of functioning of the Land Code of Ukraine, the unsatisfactory state of legislative and normative support for the development of market-oriented land relations exists not only in the agricultural sector, but also in the nature protection and others. Also, the legal framework for economic, environmental, social, agricultural property ownership of land and other natural resources remains unordered. Elements of scientific novelty. The authors describe the institutional factors influencing the development of market-oriented land relations in agriculture and the current unsatisfactory state of legislative and normative support for the development of market-oriented land relations not only in the agricultural sector, but also in the nature protection and others. Important measures for creating mechanisms of economic stimulation of rational and effective land use in the agrarian sphere were highlighted. Practical significance. It has been substantiated that the formation of a transparent land market in Ukraine is blocked by imperfect land legislation and its organizational and managerial infrastructure. For the period between 2000 and 2018, the legal framework for economic, ecological, social, agricultural property ownership of land and other natural resources that prevents the launch of a transparent land market in Ukraine remained unordered. Figs.: 5. Refs.: 19