A development aid project for Ukraine, which includes training for the setting up of orchards and the transfer of 70,000 raspberry seedlings, is receiving over 261 thousand PLN (over 60,000 Euro) in funding from the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, as reported by PAP on Tuesday.
Some agricultural organizations, including the Association of Polish Potato and Vegetable Producers and the Association of Polish Fruit-growers, have been stirred up by this information. They claim that in Poland, raspberry prices have dropped significantly and there is no interest in buying them; meanwhile Poland is helping Ukraine develop its raspberry production, i.e. strengthening competition on this market.
Experts say that in recent years, Ukraine has become a large producer of raspberries, competing with Poland for markets. The price of Polish raspberries has been falling for four years. The highest prices were paid in 2015, with an average of 7.7 PLN/kg (1.78 Euro); in 2016, it dropped to 5.2 PLN/kg (1.20 Euro); in 2017, to 4.40 PLN/kg (1.02 Euro). This year, growers can only count on 1.5-2 PLN/kg (between 0.35 and 0.46 Euro).
As part of this project (as reported by the portal www.sadownictwo.com), Polish partners will provide Ukrainians with a minimum of 70,000 seedlings of the best raspberry varieties, as well as ecological plant protection products, technical equipment and comprehensive expert support in the setting up of plantations.
The project is not systemic, but educational in nature. The total funding will amount to PLN 261,430 (60,493 Euro)," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It was explained that "the subsidy is intended to help develop micro- and small entrepreneurship among the rural population in the west of Ukraine in the field of fruit-growing and horticulture. The project is intended to contribute to strengthening cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian farms and enterprises."
Source: portalspozywczy.pl