Despite the Russian invasion and the many difficulties associated with the terrorist attacks of Russian troops on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, the country’s farmers continue to expand their business.
EastFruit experts talked to several large companies growing blueberries in Ukraine. Almost all of them are getting ready to increase exports of fresh blueberries in the new season unless the weather alters the expected production of blueberries. Moreover, some of the surveyed market participants continued to expand the area of blueberry plantations in 2022. One of the arguments for expanding plantations was the possibility of buying seedlings at very affordable prices in 2022. The main argument, of course, is the unconditional faith of local growers in Ukraine’s victory over the aggressor.
As for the plans to increase blueberry exports in 2023, the farmers’ arguments boiled down to two main groups of reasons. First of all, the entry of many blueberry plantations into full fruiting, which, naturally, will lead to an increase in the gross harvest of berries. The second reason is the decrease in purchasing power in Ukraine and the decrease in the number of consumers, as part of the country’s citizens were forced to temporarily leave their homes due to Russian aggression.
Recall that Ukraine has updated the blueberry export record by supplying more than 2 500 tonnes of fresh blueberries to foreign markets in 2022. According to market participants, if there are no extreme weather conditions in the spring of 2023, the export of Ukrainian blueberries this year may exceed 3 000 tonnes for the first time.
For more information: east-fruit.com