The Ukrainian Association 'Berry Production of Ukraine' took part in the international exhibition Fruit Logistica 2023. Because a sufficient number of exhibitors was not collected, the National Stand of Ukraine was organized with the support of the ITS project and the Swedish government, and in particular, members of the Association exhibited at it.
The participants of the exhibition presented fresh blueberries at the stand ("Family Garden" – organic, "Blue Berry" – conventional). A few more manufacturers, including Artberry, worked at the exhibition as visitors. Ukrainian producers are working carefully. Because there is uncertainty about the results of the upcoming season, there are nuances with electricity supply, and military operations are ongoing, so there are many reasons.
Competing on the fresh berry market should only be based on quality, you should not resort to dumping. Because, taking into account the situation in Ukraine, the cost of growing berry products will only increase in the future. Since 2019, when the Association has been participating in the Fruit Logistica exhibition, it has been positioning Ukrainian berries as a quality product at a fair price.
Blueberry has the greatest export prospects among Ukrainian berries for the fresh market. It is already sold in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. According to producers, the export of fresh blueberries in 2022 exceeded 2021 by volume. The gross harvest of blueberries in Ukraine will increase from year to year because these are perennial plantations that will yield a larger harvest with age.
It is still too early to talk about the next season's price because it depends primarily on the number of berries. And the quantity, in turn, depends on weather factors. To make forecasts, you need to understand in what condition the plants will come out of hibernation. In April, Spain will enter the fresh blueberry market with its greenhouse berries, so they will give a start to the current season.
source: agrotimes.ua