The berry business in Ukraine continues to be a promising direction in the agricultural sector. Despite significant capital investments in recent years, producers have reaped substantial profits.
Andriy Marushchak, the commercial director of "Van Dijk Technics," specializing in berry storage and processing solutions, stressed the importance of aspects such as cooling. According to him, while berry cultivation technologies in Ukraine are already advanced, the technological process demands correct and swift cooling, a process known as pre-cooling. This applies to all types of berries, from blueberries to raspberries and garden strawberries.
To compete globally, producers must meet the requirements of foreign buyers, including a proper berry cooling and storage system, known as Food Safety, a concern highlighted by international buyers. Their implementation will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Ukrainian berry products in the global market.
Even for large-scale berry farmers, having professional cooling and storage systems is crucial to prevent potential profit loss due to improper storage and presentation of berries.
Addressing smaller producers, Marushchak suggested that the issue lies in insufficient awareness. He recommended simple and affordable solutions, such as small cooling and storage chambers.
As of now, starting a berry or vegetable business in Ukraine should involve a professional approach and an understanding of storage, cooling, and processing technologies provided by companies associated with the Netherlands, as there are currently no domestic companies in Ukraine offering professional and proven solutions.
source: seeds.org.ua