This year's raspberry harvest in Ukraine is running three weeks behind schedule due to spring frosts and unstable weather. In the Ternopil region, farming company Viknyny is gathering fruit from 15 hectares and reports that limited supply is already pushing export prices upward.
"Standard berries are selling for nearly €4/kg, while top-grade fruit can reach €4.45/kg," says financial director Nataliia Vaniarkha. She notes that demand has been boosted by weather-related crop losses in both Ukraine and Poland.
The enterprise cultivates several raspberry varieties, including Polana, Deliva, Himbo Top, and Amira. Each variety has its own characteristics: Polana is widely traded, Deliva and Amira are prized for their large size and sweetness, while Himbo Top is more delicate and prone to damage during freezing. The varieties also respond differently to weather conditions: some plants were affected by frost and now yield smaller berries, while others remained healthy thanks to irrigation and the use of stress-reducing treatments.
Yields remain uncertain as the season progresses.
Labor is another challenge. At the start of harvest, only about 20 pickers were working in the fields, though up to 100 may be needed when ripening peaks. Despite these hurdles, Viknyny focuses on exports, which secure better prices than the domestic market.
If the weather allows the full crop to be harvested before autumn frosts, 2025 could still be a profitable year for Ukrainian raspberry exporters.
Source: www.jagodnik.info
