In central Russia, May frosts have proven devastating for many crops, including the traditional blackcurrant. This berry has a short flowering period, which coincided with freezing temperatures this year. It is the second consecutive year that adverse weather has significantly reduced the blackcurrant harvest. Irina Koziy, CEO of the Berry Union and FruitNews agency, reported that the harvest will be two to three times smaller than usual, amounting to less than one thousand tons. This is more than the supply of fresh blackcurrants from abroad but significantly less than the import of frozen berries.
Only a few agricultural producers in Russia cultivate blackcurrants. Over 10,000 tons of frozen berries are imported annually. Fresh blackcurrants are grown by small farms that sell their produce at local markets. Industrial cultivation of blackcurrants requires varieties that store well and are attractive to consumers, but such varieties have not yet been developed.
The problem with growing blackcurrants for processing is related to their cost. To keep the berries inexpensive, production costs must be minimized through maximum mechanization, including the use of harvesters. Special equipment is expensive for Russian farmers because it has to be imported, cleared through customs, and certified. Additionally, the high cost of labour makes domestic berries less competitive compared to imported ones.
The main supplies of fresh blackcurrants to Russia come from Belarus, but experts believe these are actually Polish berries. Imports also come from Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, and Kyrgyzstan. Frozen blackcurrants are almost entirely imported from Belarus, which effectively means from Poland.
Source: rosng.ru